Motivated to Humility

...now or later?

I'm being convicted regularly by the Spirit that unless I truly begin to live humbly, not only physically or financially, but most importantly in my attitude - then as I speak into others lives more and more I will become less and less humble.

It's so counter-intuitive or at least counter-desirous. It seems as though it's easier to be humble when I'm doing what I love and especially when others are looking and yet, if that is part of the motivation for humility, then it's founded in pride! So if my heart, my mind and thus my attitude find proper alignment in light of God...then regardless of when and where I live out humility I will always be acting with the right motivation and bending my knee to the Creator. In fact it will be the Spirit acting out humility in me despite myself!

Jesus was humble at all times, night and day, in public and private, in a crowd, one on one or with His disciples, teaching and in prayer...always. He had reason to elevate Himself and yet He always gave glory to the Father in Heaven. I desire that attitude...here and now.

Cakewalk Leadership

After watching Ace of Cakes reruns with my wife we noticed something interesting, overwhelming projects and short deadlines seem to always be coupled with ridiculous amounts of fun. Why? How do they do it? Are they mixing something 'special' with the cake batter?

Some Observations About Duff (owner/chef/boss):

1) ridiculously upbeat

2) looks forward to new and challenging projects

3) hired talented people who saw his vision (though he is the only trained chef)

4) trained his team well and trusts their decisions, creativity, abilities

5) listens to his customers and creates specifically for them

6) creates a relaxed environment with joking and what's that...laughing?

7) handles stress well

8) stands behind his team 

About the Team:

9) excited to be working together and with Duff 

10) believe in the quality of their product: sweet flavors & stunning visuals

11) trust Duff

12) own their work - personal style and responsibility on each project

13) celebrate a hard days work together

(Obviously we only see what happens on camera, so we'll assume that off camera holds the same)

While this list is by no means definitive of good leading and team building it is encouraging. Building and maintaining a healthy team requires work, personal gifting, time, talent, discipline, a clear vision and ultimately faith...leaders need to be aware of their strengths and weakness' and build their teams accordingly.

Whatever the situation, if you believe God is in control and the Spirit truly guides then maybe you can have your cake and eat it too...especially if you work with...cake. And a really great team.

Healthy Skepticism...

...sounds like an oxymoron right? To be a true Skeptic one must believe that truth us unattainable or even nonexistent. Ultimately it's a lifestyle of doubt. An attitude of disbelief...is that really healthy?

Think practically - a true skeptic could never believe that their wife truly loved them. They would have to ask these questions regularly: What if she's lying? Did she really promise to stay by my side? Does love even exist? Are these fears justified? Does fear exist? and so on and so on...if there is no attainable truth, then a true skeptic can find no end to these questions. Is that a healthy marriage?

A lifestyle of Doubt can't lead to a fulfilled life can it? Think about all the times Paul tells the Philippians to 'Rejoice!' If truth is nonexistent then what do we have to rejoice in?

But if Truth does exist and has made itself attainable, understandable and experiential - then Paul is dead-right when he tells the Philippians that God, who started a work in their community, will truly carry it out until He is finished - and that bit of knowledge is worthy of our trust.

Seek answers. Ask questions...even the most difficult ones. Study. Research. Pray. Discuss. Debate.

But should you find yourself living a lifestyle of doubt maybe you should spend some time doubting that lifestyle.

Don't know? Read.

'No matter what happens in life...period! live your life in a manner worthy of the Gospel - the Life of Christ.' (Philippians 1:27 - R.D. Version)

If you don't know what that means then read the Book of John right now! And then read the Synoptic Gospels. And then read everything Paul wrote. And then read The rest of the N.T.
And then read the Torah. And then the Prophets. And the Poetry. And the History. The O.T.

OR - If you want a summarization of a worthy life then read Philippians 2:1-11. And then start at the beginning of the letter and read all the way through it top to bottom.

Once you do that, and if you believe this is a worthy way to conduct your life, then 'work out your salvation' through repentance and forgiveness and joyful praise and thankfulness to God.

...And God will begin a work in you that He'll never give up on.

A Parable for Teachers

A farmer planted seed and as he scattered the seed:
Some of it fell on the road and birds ate it.
Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly.
Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds.
Some fell on good earth and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.

The seed the farmer scattered on the road - When anyone hears the news of the Kingdom and doesn't take it in, it just remains on the surface and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person's heart.
The seed cast in the gravel - this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character and when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives there is nothing to show for it.
The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the Kingdom news but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard and nothing comes of it.
The seed cast on the good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News and the produces a harvest yeilding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

No - this parable isn't designed to acknowledge the narrator/teacher, his gifts or his ability to communicate the Word. Jesus told this parable to a hard-hearted, blind-eyed, deaf-eared audience. A people He knew from ancient times would reject the truth He came to live out and offer. This parable described His audience - and anyone who would hear the Word from that day forward. Not all will be hard hearted though.

Because we know the many paths a person can take upon hearing Jesus' Story of Reconciliation, paths chosen by the hearer and known by the Creator, I like reading this and seeing how it affects the heart of those called to teach the Word:

the depths of the responsibility and honor laid upon (James 3:1),
the spiritual knowledge and hermeneutical work involved in (Titus 2:7),
and the creativity infused within the spiritual gifts to publicly proclaim the Word.

Yes, the Spirit convicts, convinces and converts a mans heart...but He does it through mere men and women. Sinful men and women. It is a postition worth double honor and a heavier dose of accountability to God Himself.

Plant well. With love and grace, seasoned with spiritual salt so that is desired by the listener.

Taken from Matthew 13

(D)evolution of a Beard

'So Hanun seized David's men, shaved off half of each man's beard, cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks, and sent them away...' (2 Samuel 10:4)

  

The humiliation that comes with the loss of a beautiful beard is hard to endure...at least I still have my good looks...

Mission

Now if the mission is to make disciples of Jesus who make more disciples of Jesus - and that mission is the result of the Kingdom of Heaven meeting earth upon Jesus' incarnation - then the mission of the Christian is really to grow the Kingdom of God one disciple at a time.

If you and I are given the power and authority to grow the Eternal Kingdom...what is stopping us?

If the power and truth and authority of the Eternal Kingdom are inside us...why does fear stop us?

Fearing God should bring knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) - purpose and obedience (Ecc. 12:13) - ultimately the truth of salvation (Philippians 2:12).

Our hearts, minds, souls, and strength are swallowed up in the Kingdom of God...our mission should be founded on the thrill of being part of such a Holy and Loving God and yet fearful of His awesome power.

Be on Mission. Meet someone new, love someone old, share Life with a friend, live Life with a neighbor.

Be on Mission.