Monday, February 26, 2007

Working Together

Good morning! I hope you had a fantastic weekend and are starting the week off energized and refreshed.

Over the weekend my family and I were finally able to move into a home here in Corpus Christi. As is always the case, God provided in His own unique way and in His own perfect timing.

Moving is always an exciting time. The anticipation of a new place and new experiences are always fascinating. Unfortunately though, moving is also hard work. Somebody has to lift those boxes and move the furniture.

This weekend I was blessed to be joined by many friends from our church who offered to lend a pickup truck, a back, a hand or anything else they thought might be helpful. What would have been an all day or multiple day process by our family alone was instead achieved in just a few short hours.

It is with this thought that I bring you this morning’s encouragement. In Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi he wrote these words:

Philippians 2:2 (NLT)

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.

As a leader I get the privilege (and sometimes the pain) of watching people discover that God has put people in their lives for a reason. Many of us have “can do” type personalities and by nature tend to be somewhat self reliant. One of the greatest downfalls this mindset brings is limited potential and productivity. As one person, I can only do so much. At some point I will exhaust my resources and strength.

When a person finally comes to the realization that God has placed others in their lives who share common passions and purpose, they have just unlocked the door to an astonishing truth. A group of people working together with a common passion and purpose create a “synergy.” This combined effort allows productivity to multiply exponentially above what a single individual could accomplish on his/her own.

Now, when you take this a step further and bring God’s power, purpose and vision into the mix, the outcomes can be mind boggling. Think of it this way. Jesus chose 12 disciples, one of whom would later betray Jesus. Through the remaining 11 men, God began a movement in the hearts and lives of people that continues to this day.

This week you may have some big tasks ahead of you. I encourage you to pray about those who will assist you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember two heads are always better than one.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Monday, February 19, 2007

Hard Times

Good morning! I hope that your weekend was refreshing and that you have hit the ground running this morning filled with energy and enthusiasm.

This past week was filled with some major challenges for my family and me. We have been attempting to resolve our housing issues here in Corpus Christi, but continue to face new hurdles and obstacles with each step (or so it seems). Of course, trouble rarely comes in single packages. On top of the housing issues we learned that the deep freeze in Pennsylvania had caused pipes to burst in our now vacant home and as of last count the bill was into the thousands of dollars range.

Maybe you’ve had weeks like that too. The car breaks down and the kids get sick. The company lays you off and the water heater goes out. When we have times like this our first inclination is usually to ask God “why?” “God, why are you doing this to me?” “God, why is this happening to me?” “God, why aren’t you helping me?” Sound familiar?

Today I want to share with you some thoughts on tough times. Look at the following passages from the book of James:

James 1:2-4 (HCSB)

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

A couple of things I want you to see from this verse. First of all when need to step back and look at the big picture. Hard times are part of a refining process. Think about the forging of steel or the purification of gold. The processes of forging and refining require intense heat. Only after the metal is liquefied can the impurities be removed. The shaping also requires intense heat so that the metal is malleable. That is why we are instructed to “Consider it a great joy,” because the bigger picture shows us that we are being refined and strengthened.

I want you to notice the next point of these verses. Hard times produce endurance. Look back over your life for a moment. I want you to consider some of the adversities God has brought you through over the years. If you remember what it was like to be in the midst of some of those hard times, you probably didn’t think you would make it through…but you did! With each of those events in your life you became a little stronger. You met the next hardship with the confidence that God saw me through before…He can certainly see me through again. The hard times you face today are giving you the strength and courage for the obstacles that lie ahead of you.

Lastly, these trials are part of a maturing process. God is molding you and shaping you day by day. This is a lifelong process that doesn’t stop until we are ushered into His presence. Each day God is carefully working in and through your life, so that His glory is reflected in every area of your life. When life is at its worst, God is at His best. Those around you will see God’s strength and endurance shining through you.

This week you may be facing some difficult challenges, but take heart…every test has a beginning and ending. At some point this test will be over too.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.


Carl

Monday, February 12, 2007

Fear of the Unknown

Good morning! I hope you are feeling refreshed after your weekend and have hit the ground running this morning.

One of the greatest fears most of us face on a day to day basis is the fear of the unknown. Yet, we are often required to make decisions and choose directions without knowing the end result. Many chose never to move from the place they find themselves, because of the fear of what lies ahead. For the follower of Christ these circumstances become a time to exercise their faith muscles.

Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB)
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

So you may be asking yourself; “Where does faith come from?” Look at what the Bible has to say about the source of faith:

Romans 10:17 (HCSB)
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

Faith is birthed in your relationship with Jesus. Ultimately faith is an issue of trust. To take steps into the unknown requires a high degree of trust in the one ordering your steps. Trust is built through relationship and experience. The more intimately I become acquainted with someone and the more I interact with that person, the greater my trust will become in them. I will base my trust on previous situations in which their guidance or support proved effective and appropriate.

In our relationship with God we are often asked to take steps of faith. If we only operated in the realm of what we could see or accomplish on our own, then we would never develop a deep reliance upon God in our lives. We would simply take the credit for everything that happens in our lives and we would rob God of the glory He is due. When God asks you to take steps of faith, His desire is twofold. First He is seeking to reveal new things about His character and His love for you. Secondarily, He wants to bring glory to Himself through your life, by building that high degree of trust. God is glorified in your life when you are doing much greater things than you could ever do on your own or when you are overcoming circumstances that seem impossible.

This week you may find yourself facing the unknown. I encourage you to change your perspective to a viewpoint of faith. Realize that God is asking you to take undefined steps, because He wants to develop a deeper relationship of trust and intimacy with you.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Monday, February 05, 2007

Keep pressing on

Good morning! I hope your previous week was a great one and that you are starting this week off refreshed and energized.

Last night those of us in the United States went through the annual tradition (and for some a near religious experience) of Super Bowl Sunday. This year’s Super Bowl was especially noteworthy for at least 3 reasons. First of all the coaches of both teams were African Americans. Secondarily and more importantly, in my mind anyway, both men are outspoken Christians who are not ashamed of their faith. Finally we saw Peyton Manning, considered by many to be the best quarterback in the NFL, receive his championship after many close calls and near misses. Today I want to use Peyton Manning as the backdrop for this morning’s encouragement.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 (NIV)

The Indianapolis Colts led by quarterback Peyton Manning have been a dominant football team for a number of years. Almost yearly they are expected to make the playoffs and many consider them a Super Bowl contender. However, over the past several years they have always been knocked out of contention in the final games of the playoffs. Many sports writers have hinted that Peyton Manning was simply not capable of winning the “big one.”

The disappointments and defeats along the way never sidetracked this quarterback. Each year he has returned sharpening his skills and playing at the top of his abilities. The setbacks of prior years were not roadblocks to success, but instead were building blocks to victory. This year Manning proved that he was the caliber of athlete who was capable of leading his team all the way to victory.

So what about you? Have you faced some big losses lately? How are you dealing with those defeats? Have you hung up your helmet and shoulder pads vowing to never play the game again?

Many of us get sidelined, because we give up too soon. The fumbles of life are building blocks that make us stronger. As the verse I quoted indicates; it is perseverance that brings about maturity and completeness. I don’t cherish the failures and setbacks in my life, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world, because they have molded me into the man that I am today.

Today, Peyton Manning and the Colts get to relish the joys of being Super Bowl champions. Starting in September it will be time to persevere once more if they intend to remain champions.

This week I encourage you to lace up your cleats, grab your helmet and get into the game of life.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl