This link is a short story told by a pastor friend (Tom Nelson) about a real-life encounter with an eagle and a PHENOMENAL spiritual application for all Christ-followers.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Seven Presidential Promises
Many conservative Evangelicals were less than pleased with the outcome of the 2008 presidential election. Many of these same people were even less pleased with the contempt shown to our 43rd president. I found this list of promises that could be adopted to ensure that one does not become guilty of inappropriate dishonor and disrespect.
1. President Obama, I promise to pray for you each and every day that God would give you wisdom and favor and that He would protect you from those who are evil.
2. President Obama, I promise to respect you for not only what you have achieved personally and how you’ve taken advantage of all your opportunities, but the fact that you fulfill the role of President of my country, an office worthy of respect though the men who have occupied it have been imperfect, its ideal still abides; a Democracy ruled over not by a King, but by a President elected by the people.
3. President Obama, I promise to support you where I can and to reserve judgment over those things I disagree, believing that you may know more about the subject than I do.
4. President Obama, I promise to believe the best about you. I won’t listen to conspiracy theories and throw you under the bus at the first sign that you may not be doing something the majority of the people agree with.
5. President Obama, I promise to be the kind of American worthy of a great President.
6. President Obama, I promise I will not expect you to do for me what I should be doing for myself. I’m glad I don’t live in a Socialist state. I live in a Democracy driven by Capitalism, the idea that I am personally responsible for my actions. So I’ll not ask you to pay my house payment or feed me unless I have a catastrophic disability. I’m willing to pay my taxes and my fair share and fully take responsibility.
7. President Obama, I promise to remember that you’re human; that you occupy an office that no human can be expected to perform flawlessly. I’ll try to put myself in your place even though it would be hard to do.
Monday, January 19, 2009
When Nobody is Watching.
A friend posted a note on Facebook yesterday exposing the gaps between what she knows about herself and how she is perceived by others. There were no glaring hypocrisies, but God had made her acutely aware of the dualism in her life.
I am doing a self-study through some spiritual formation material developed by a fellow pastor. When looking at the description of King David in Psalm 78 and 1 Sam 17 he observes that David’s preparation for the throne was so obscure that his own father did not think of him as “King material.” David was off by himself in the back fields but God was preparing him for a task.
“An integral life is forged in obscurity and refined in visibility”
--Tom Nelson
One cannot turn on a news broadcast without hearing about tomorrow’s inauguration. One of the criticisms leveled against our new President was his perceived inexperience. “Could a one-term junior Senator from Illinois have the skills to lead our country?” His opponent in the primaries asked “Who do you want answering the phone at 3 AM?”
Political Pundits have already admitted that President Obama’s leadership will be tested soon after the oath of office. I guess that is the “refined in visibility” part of Tom Nelson’s quote.
If you are reading this you are most-likely a small group leader or teacher in a Christian education class. So I ask you (as I have been reflecting personally), Who are you when nobody is watching? Regardless of if you are like my friend on Facebook, the greatest King Israel has ever had, the 44th President of the United States or the facilitator of a group of six Christ-followers learning from each other, what you are when you are alone WILL be revealed, tested and refined in visibility.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Are we “making a Statement” or having an influence?
I learned this morning of a list of the “Top Ten Instances of Christian Bashing in America” as compiled by the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission.
My first thought was “Why are THOSE PEOPLE so offended by my values?”
My second thought was “THEY are misrepresenting my view”
My third (and continuing) thought is “Is this how I come across to those who disagree with me?”
Click here to watch the video that was #10 on the list.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Awkward Turtle
Is your group a safe place for people to admit real struggles? Sometimes people don’t admit their struggles because they are afraid of the response from others.
Last fall I was introduced to a YouTube phenomena called “awkward turtle” that is popular among some teens. The idea is that if someone does or says something embarrassing then you make a “turtle” with your hands who swims away (with you attached) from the awkward situation.
Because LIFE IS MESSY, you may have wished you had an awkward turtle following the confession of somebody in your group. You don’t want to embarrass the individual, you don’t want to ignore the sin. But what do you do? This comes from SmallGroups.com
One of the aims of our small groups is (or should be) to create a safe environment where people can grow closer to God. Well, growing closer to God often involves the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the need to repent of sin. If someone's confessing, it means you've done a good job leading your group and you should give yourself a pat on the back. (Okay, you can actually give God the credit, but you get the point.)
The Spirit has decided it's time for them to bring their sins into the light and deal with them, and you are the lucky person who's been chosen to help them in that process. So what do you do?
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