Giving is grace

For God so loved the world that He gave.

Giving is grace. The reward is the giving. As we live, we grow. We become newer, deeper people. Our sense of confidence and trust grows. Our sense of vision ad hope grows.

"It is not 'when you give, God will reward you' thinking. The reward is the giving. As you give, you share God's grace. The act of giving is virtually a sacrament of grace. The act of giving is both a sign and an event of the generosity of God in our lives. In this sense, the act of giving is the sharing of God's grace.

The event of giving is like the break of a new day, with the sun sharing its life-giving warmth. The event of giving is like a gentle rain that gives new life to the earth and all who dwell therein. Giving is like the discovery of two friends that they love one another deeply and dearly. Giving has a warmth, a wonder, a grace about it. Giving is deeper than the oceans, higher than the mountains, more enduring than the earth. Giving is remembered long and well. Giving is its own reward." Kennon Callahan

For God so love the world that He gave...we give because in grace He gave...may we give our all on the journey for His fame and glory.

The Book

I found the quote below. It really spoke to my heart. May we each desire to have a relationship with God’s Word like Charles Spurgeon did. May we be people of the Book.

“Why, the Book has wrestled with me; the Book has smitten me; the Book has comforted me; the Book has smiled on me; the Book has frowned on me; the Book has clasped my hand; the Book has warmed my heart. The Book weeps with me, and sings with me, it whispers to me, and it preaches to me; it maps my way, and holds up my goings; it is the Young Man’s Best Companion, and is still my morning and evening Chaplain.” Charles Spurgeon

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us; He was full of grace and truth.

Embracing the journey, grateful the Word is alive and active.

Living and leaving a legacy

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

Living and leaving a legacy is a choice we each make every day. I'm honored to be allowed to serve with Catalyst Resources International (http://www.catalystresources.net/). I got to spend the last several days in Guatemala. Our desire is that we would leave a legacy that speaks Jesus...Jesus....Jesus to all who would hear, see, and taste. We have such an opportunity to impact all eternity if we but answer the call.

Francis Chan says it this way:
http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBhqrtMqrv8

Steve Fee sings it this way:
There's a stirring in my heart Unexplainable
There's a calling on my days Undeniable, yeah
And there's a fire in my bones Uncontainable
And it's causing me to burn
It's causing me to burn
It's causing me to burn for You.

I 'll go anywhere; I'll do anything at any cost for you, My King.

There's a passion in my heart for the world to see
Revival fires burn, A great awakening
And there's a raging fire inside that's so high
And it's causing me to burn
It's causing me to burn
It's causing me to burn for you.

Lord, do whatever it takes so that we (I) burn white-hot for you.

Details Details

Not sure who said it, but
"it's all in the details".



Details derail or details deliver; I prefer the latter.

Og Mandino stated, “Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best you can do.”

When I read this quote, I immediately thought about the Raving Fans principle of “Deliver Plus One.” This principle teaches us to deliver excellence consistently and then to go beyond that to give people one percent more than they expect. The Og Mandino quote and the principle of “Deliver Plus One” operate from the same mindset. That is, always go the extra mile. (If someone asks you to go one mile, go the second mile with them ~ Jesus in Matt 5:38)

Church leaders are busy people and we can tend to get caught up in the big things. Today, I'm taking some time to think about the little things in life.

You may have heard that “the devil is in the details.” I prefer the opposite reality that God is in the details. Why? Because it’s the details – the little things in our lives and ministry – that give us the best opportunity to truly reflect the extent of God’s grace and love. I'm praying that I deliver his grace and love daily...through the details:).

Embracing the journey...pursuing the dream.

You Know You're Not Leading When

You Know You're Not Leading When . . .

I've had some conversations lately that have caused me to ponder, deeply reflect, and wonder. How do many people, each leaders in their own sense, define leading/not leading so differently?

Ever catch yourself not leading? I have and would think most leaders do at some point in time. I wonder what would happen if when we find ourselves not leading the way we believe God has called us to lead, we ask ourselves, "What does it look like for me to really be a leader in this situation?”

We’ve all seen the lists; you know you’re a redneck when, or you’re a nerd when, or you’re a English major when, or you’re a musician when…well, here goes:

You know you are not leading when . . .

· You wait for someone to tell you what to do rather than taking the initiative yourself
· You ask for way too many opinions before taking action
· You spend too much time talking about how things should be different
· You blame the context, surroundings, or other people for your current situation
· You think what you say doesn't matter
· You choose not to speak the truth in love
· You talk to others about the problem rather than taking it to the person responsible
· You aren't taking any significant risks
· You are more concerned about being cool or accepted rather than doing the right thing
· You seek consensus, rather than casting vision for God’s preferable future
· You accept status quo as the way it's always been and always will be
· You start protecting your reputation instead of opening yourself up to opposition
· You procrastinate to avoid making a tough call
· You don't feel like your neck is on the line for anything significant
· Others? I’m sure there are.

There is a time to lead…embracing the journey…pursuing the dream.

Premortem Insights

Feedback is an essential ingredient in every environment. How often have you performed a "postmortem" on a project or strategy that has failed? Ever tried a "premortem?" I wonder what insights we could gain and what obstacles might be eliminated if we took the time before we began the adventure?

Here's how it could work:
Leader briefs the team on the project then announces that the project "has failed spectacularly."
The team spends a few minutes writing down reasons for the project's failure.
Team members take turn reading one reason each until all the reasons are recorded.
Project lead and team look for ways to strengthen the plan before implementation begins.

Think that might help? I wonder how it might impact activities and relationships if we applied the concept beyond organizational projects. Could it be a part of "taking every thought captive' or "considering the costs" before beginning.

This idea comes from Performing a Project Postmortem, an article by Gary Klein.

I think it has powerful potential for impact as we pursue the dream...

CHANGE

CHANGE is important; CHANGE is inevitable; we can run from change or we can embrace it and become a CHANGE AGENT!

Below are some great thoughts about change from Perry Noble...great insights...

C-H-A-N-G-E (Posted: 27 Aug 2008 06:36 AM CDT)

So what’s involved in changing something up?

C = Calculation
If a change is going to be made I believe some time must be spent investigating the possible outcomes that will be associated with it. Some of the biggest mistakes I’ve made as a leader have been changing something without thinking it through.

H = Hesitation
When it comes to changing something that we’ve established…we always hesitate. Don’t get me wrong, I think pausing before making the change is healthy…however, when hesitation turns into an excuse to delay the obvious…problems WILL occur.

A = Anticipate Resistance
The very first reaction to change will always be some sort of resistance. As I leader I am coming more and more to understand that the first question a person runs through their mind when change is introduced is, “How is thing going to impact me?” And…if they detect that it may impact them in any negative sort of way…their natural tendency is to resist.

N = Necessary
Change is SO necessary! That statement was EASY to accept when we first began because we were changing the ways that other people did things; however, in the past couple of years or so it has become a sobering reality that the changes that are necessary are things we once thought of as edgy and innovative…which ISN’T easy…but, like I said…is necessary.

G = God Factor
What changes are God telling you to make? This could be personal…or even church wide. I know that He’s been speaking into me very directly lately and telling me some personal changes that I need to make in regards to the ways I lead myself and His church. God isn’t a dull God…and so following Him should never be either. He isn’t telling me the “why’s” right now…just the “what’s”…and getting comfortable with that has been an adjustment…but a good one!

E = Expectation
Whenever God leads us to change–we can expect fruit to come out of it. (See John 15:4-5) I have found myself getting way to nervous in the past when God leads me to change something when, in reality, I have NEVER messed anything up by simply being completely obedient to Him–even when that includes MAJOR change.

Truths to realize and live by as we embrace the journey...of change.