Balance

Blog for Leaders

Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes:
For Jesus, time alone with God was not an option.  Unlike Jesus, we attempt to live life on our own energy.  He had no higher priority than to abide in intimate unbroken fellowship with His Father, so He might fulfill His Father’s will.

Mark Buchanan adds:
Genuine rest has been an axiom of healthy living.  Unfortunately, it is misunderstood by those driven to achievement.

We have let ourselves be consumed by things that feed the ego but starve the soul.  Busyness kills the heart.

Jesus gave this advice to us:  Learn the unforced rhythm of God’s grace.

WP.

Life's Detours

Could it be that detours in our lives are actually the right way?

I've learned through years of leadership that our best laid plans are often thwarted by reality.

A change in the economy. 

Changing government regulations. 

Unavoidable personal circumstances. 

But I've also found plan B or C or even D are what God intended all along. 

I don't understand how we allow ourselves on detours, or why God allows us to go the long way around. 

But I trust His sovereignty in directing the ultimate outcome. 

And His wisdom in teaching us valuable lessons along the journey. 

Could it be that detours in our lives are actually God’s way?

WP

Some Solitude

During a time "off the grid",  I picked up a copy of Life Action magazine.  The theme of this issue was "Pause".  It was about rest and restoration. 

God's trying to get a message to me because at a recent meeting in California, our host gave me a book by Mark Buchanan: The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath.  

"For Jesus, time alone with God was not an option.  Unlike Jesus, we attempt to live life on our own energy.  He knew  He had no higher priority than to abide in intimate unbroken fellowship with His Father, so He might fulfill His Father’s will. " Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"I’ve been in a hurry most of my life--Getting to the next thing without fully entering into the thing in front of me.  We have let ourselves be consumed by things that feed the ego but starve the soul.  Busyness kills the heart.  

Genuine rest has been an axiom of healthy living.  Unfortunately, it is a principle badly misunderstood by those whose lives are driven to achievement." Mark Buchanan

Jesus invited us to enjoy the "unforced rhythm of God's grace.

Wayne

My Lord's Prayer" this morning.

My "Lord's Prayer" this morning:

Our Father in heaven -God's tender love received.

May your name be kept holy-God's awesomeness revered.

May your kingdom come – God's kingdom advanced.

May your will be done – God's purpose accomplished.

Give us today the food we need– God's provision given.

And forgive us our sins – God's mercy extended.

As we forgive those who sin against us – our mercy to others given.

And don't us yield to temptation – God's protection provided.

But rescue us from the evil one – God's deliverance experienced.

10 (+1) Scriptures that have changed my life.

10 (+1) Bible Passages that Changed My Life

1.

John 3:16

God—The Greatest Lover

So Loved—The Greatest Degree

The World—The Greatest Number

That He Gave—The Greatest Act

His Only Son—The Greatest Gift

That Whoever—The Greatest Invitation

Believes—The Greatest Simplicity

On Him—The Greatest Person

Shall Not Perish—The Greatest Escape

But—The Greatest Difference

Have—The Greatest Certainty

Eternal Life—The Greatest Destiny

2.

1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

3.

Proverbs 3:4-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

4.

Joshua 1:8

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

5.

Ephesians 3:20

“To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”

6. 

Colossians 3:12-14

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

7.

2 Corinthians 12:9,10

“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

8. 

Isaiah 30:21

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’“

9.

Philippians 3:13

“I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” 

10.

2 Corinthians 4: 17

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieve for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

10 + 1.

Psalm 16:11 (My Life Verse)

“You have shown me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy.  At your right hand are pleasures forever.”

Lessons for Leaders

We’re aware there's a new generation of leaders coming along who will take the place of boomer leaders approaching retirement.

I love the transfer of leadership in the Old Testament between the old prophet Elijah and the young prophet Elisha

Elijah asked young Elisha: "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you”.

Elisha wanted to see his mentor completely through the end of his ministry career; and wisely answered:”Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”

Not that Elisha was asking for twice as much spirit as his mentor.  But that he wanted the spirit that was in Elijah to be duplicated in his own life.

That transfer of godly leadership was so apparent, that when the sons of the prophets of Jericho saw Elisha, they said: "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”

A credible true transfer of leadership should be plainly communicated to the entire team so plainly that they recognize the endorsement of the old leader, but also observe first-hand the spirit of God in the life of the new leader.

For Leaders

For Leaders

There’s a huge transfer of leadership coming to organizations and ministries.

As boomers retire, leadership will pass to busters, even Gen X.

A good Biblical model is Israel’s leadership transition from Moses to Joshua.

The last chapter of Deuteronomy states:

“And Joshua the son of Non was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord commanded.”

It was obvious to the people that Moses approved Joshua as his successor.

And Joshua was a qualified new leader, full of the spirit of wisdom

Besides Moses blessing and endorsement, God blessed the transition.

God told Joshua:

Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous. Joshua 1

If your organization is anticipating a  major leadership transition,

Make sure you have a wise, anointed new leader.

And make sure he has the endorsement of the former leader, like Moses.

Then pray God will be with the new leader so he can be “strong and Courageous, like Joshua.

WP