Certainties for 2011 and Beyond

Nothing is ever certain and for most, even insurance policies, guarantees and warranties are limited. We seem to limit our responsibilities and expectations so that if they aren't met, we won't be so disappointed...after all, isn't it covered in the warranty, policies or guarantee? It is comforting to know, that through faith, there are still things from God and His word that are trustworthy and certain. As we venture into 2011, here are some of those "certainties" of God that will continue despite our ever-changing world. They are:

1. The Bible will still have answers
2. Prayer and faith will still be the most powerful thing on Earth.
3. The Holy Spirit will still be moving and working through believers.
4. God will still honor the praises rising from His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed, Holy Spirit inspired preaching of His Word.
6. People will still be lifting their hearts and voices in praise to God.
7. God will still pour out His blessings upon His children.
8. There is still plenty of room for you at the Cross of Jesus.
9. Jesus will not stop loving you!
10. Jesus will still save all those who call upon Him!

As we contemplate our experiences of 2010 and anticipate what lies ahead in 2011, it is always a good reminder to know God is still in control. We can depend on Him now and forever. 1 Peter 1:25 "The word of the Lord endures forever." Now, that we can be certain!

Bruised and Battered Achievement

There are people who cannot handle the achievements, abilities or work ethic of others. I feel, in most part, these feelings come because their own ability is threatened by someone who is being successful. In order to compensate, this type of individual will criticize ideas, sabotage deadlines, and slander the reputation of anyone who may be a "threat" to their reputation or employment. Those who are on the receiving end of this form of abuse will get battered, bashed and belittled along the way. The whole point of this attack is to get one to quit...to give up, surrender, and become an ordinary, unrecognized, average employee. It is easy to see why those who work diligently, ethically, and above-the-norm are faced with discouragement, disappointment, and betrayal due to a myriad of attacks from others who feel threatened by your abilities. I like what Chuck Swindoll said when he wrote, "Every achievement worth remembering is stained with the blood of diligence and scarred by the wounds of disappointment. To quit, to run, to escape, to hide -- none of these options solve anything. They only postpone reckoning with reality. Every journey is accomplished one step at a time. Don't stop now!" Despite all that others will do to discourage us into quitting let us hold to the words of Colossians 1:23, "Continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast." May the ill attempts of others be your barometer to gauge that you're on the right path. You must be, or they wouldn't be working so hard to stop you!

Suck it up! Drive on?

There is an old saying in the military when it comes to adversity, challenge, or opposition that says, "suck it up and drive on!" At first, I am somewhat appalled at the "tough guy" mentality that appears to be a brutal form of endurance. After meditating on a Scripture passage from a devotional booklet this past week, I may have changed my mind as it could pose a very important lesson in Christianity. In 1 Peter 2:23, it says that Jesus "did not retaliate when he was insulted,nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly." There are some things in life I cannot change or take mastery over. There are things that happen in life that are not fair, warranted, or expected. All I can control, most of the time, is my response to these situations. I wonder how much time I have wasted trying to rectify what I see as wrong or underhanded. I wonder how much needless stress and worry I have put my body through holding a grudge and trying to get my own form of justice against those who inflicted suffering upon me. Although there is a time and a place for justice, reconciliation, forgiveness and healing, there is still that time (usually at the moment of offense) that you literally "suck it up and drive on." Not as if to downplay it and pretend it didn't happen, but as a commitment to leave this person/situation in the hands of a Righteous Judge who will not only work through this situation, but work through me as a testimony of His unfailing love, mercy and grace. It is not easy to "sit there and take it" and do nothing more than to simply walk away. I admit, I love to speak out to justify and defend myself to make sure everyone knows how "wronged" I was and all that I have endured. It's time to silence the "you won't believe what happened to me" stories and move beyond the need to tell everyone about my woes. God's got my back and is firmly in control. In other words...suck it up and drive on!

Lessons From "Undercover Boss"

Over the last few months, I have looked forward to watching a particular Sunday evening program. I wasn't sure how it would play out becuase, at first, I believed it to be just another quirky reality show. Boy, was I ever wrong! This show has touched me and solidified my beliefs on leadership. It has confirmed my commitment to treating others under my authority with dignity, respect and as a "soul which Christ died for." So, what in the world is this show that has had such a moving impact upon me? It is a CBS show called "Undercover Boss." This is a program where a CEO/President of a major corporation goes "undercover" in their own company to see how things "really are" within the company. The boss gets to see how employees live, how regulations and policies "affect" their workloads, stress levels and home life. The boss goes in with lights and cameras posing as if he is an entry level worker being "documented" for the company so the employees don't suspect a thing. You may ask "so what?" Well, the riveting part has been the emotional explosion at the end of the program. The President/CEO fully realizes what the average worker goes through to make a living. The sacrifices they make and the struggles they face to just accomplish day-to-day tasks and requirments for their families. They are usually astounded at the amount of dedication they put into their jobs and how loyal they are to the company product. This, in addition, to giving their all to their family regardless if they are a single parent, having to raise a special-needs child, or in debt up over their head. The bottom line is simple: All this information about their employees, how their jobs and commitments impact them, and what they are truly made of would NOT have been revealed had the boss not gone out to personally see it for himself. THE FACT IS with leadership you HAVE to get out from behind the desk and GET TO KNOW YOUR EMPLOYEES! They are human and need to know you care for them and are concerned about their needs as much as you are about the company performance figures. People cared-for are people who will care for the company. If you want to be a successful leader with a "mission-accomplishing" buisness then get to know your people on a personal basis and then take a vested interest in their lives outside of the buisness. You can never lose when serving the feltneeds of others. It will lead to other opportunities...such as, maybe, presenting the Gospel and introducing Jesus to them personally. 1 Peter 5:2-4 says, "Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor." Just one last thing...when you become invovled in the lives of your people do it openly...and not "undercover."