Jesus' Home Run

Last night, our grandson, Justin, played in a baseball tournament for consolation champs in their little league. In the last inning, he stepped up to the plate and hit a home run, the only home run of the game.

Fortunately, I caught the whole thing on video. (It’s on my Facebook page, in case you want to watch it.) Everyone stood. There was cheering. There were high-fives everywhere. Anyway, in watching the video afterwards, what struck me was how everyone was saying Justin’s name: the fans, the coach, his teammates. Over and over your heard: “Justin, Justin, Justin!”

It made me think of what it’s going to be like at the bottom of the final inning when we celebrate Jesus’ home run. I think we’ll all be standing up and celebrating, cheering, giving high-fives. But I believe we will all (fans, coaches, players) be saying the name over and over and over: “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!!”

Is your personal ife in chaos?

f your business life is too complicated.

If your personal life is in chaos.

If you're so busy being busy—realize the great achievements come in the simplest forms.

Learn to slow down long enough to see through all the clutter.

Get rid of the hurry sickness that prevails in our culture, even our Christian culture.

While it may be a sin to be lazy, it's also a disservice to burn ourselves out with too much on our plates.

Jesus invites us to take a day off each week. He invites us to learn the unforced rhythms of God's grace.

The Psalmist invited us to be still and know that He is God. And may I add; He's God...and we are not!

Why am I so down?

Why do I get depressed?

Is it when I’ve been pushing hard for 3 months and suddenly try to put the breaks on my work pace?

Is it when we arrive at our 2nd home, I”m overwhelmed with all the things that need to be done around the place?

Is it that when I’m weary of making decisions, that there are still decisions to make about social plans?

Is it that while I’m trying to kick-back, I’m still getting phone calls about difficult situations at work?

Is it those social events where the music is too loud, tables are too crowded, everyone shouting to be heard and still you can’t hear more than half the conversation?

Is it the nagging heaviness of the job that keeps popping into my brain when I’m trying not to think of work?

Is it the guilt I feel when I’m not Mr. Happy around spouse, grandkids and friends?

Why do I feel this heaviness? Why am I in this black hole? Why do I walk under this cloud? Why can’t I just snap out of it?

Why do I get so depressed when I should be happy?

The Psalmist must have felt this way. He asked the same question?

“Why am I cast down, O my soul? Why so disquieted within me?”

His writings are full of discouragement, depression, defeatism?

Do you think Jesus in His humanity felt alone and depressed when we withdrew to a lonely place to pray all night? When he said to his followers “Couldn’t you even stay up with me for one hour in my time of need?”

I don’t want to medicate my way to happiness and balance. I’d like to exercise my way to joy. I’d like to feel those endorphins giving me back my mojo. I’d like to take a 20 hour nap that would restore my personality and energy.

How much of this would be better if I were closer to God? My life verse is Psalm 16:11. “In your presence there is fullness of joy.” So could I have more joy if I sought God’s presence more fully?

Is this a spiritual problem, a DNA issue, a fatigue factor, an inherent emotional weakness? I don’t know. I only know I don’t like it.

Maybe I’m down because i’m putting too much faith in myself, not enough on God. My feelings, sadly, go up and down. But He is constant. The same yesterday, today, tomorrow.

So as I seek to be more godly, perhaps I need to seek His constancy, His stability. Maybe I need to let the one who promised to make the rough places plain to exalt the valleys and and lower every big mountain.

I’ve discussed this with my wife. She says I haven’t been myself, whatever that is. Hopefully I’ll wake up in the morning and things will look brighter. I won’t be annoyed by every little thing. I’ll be in my groove again. I’ll feel right with the world. I’ll feel close to God again. Maybe I’ll be a better husband, father, friend.

Back to David: Psalm 42:11 from the Message:

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? 
      Why are you crying the blues? 
   Fix my eyes on God— 
      soon I'll be praising again. 
   He puts a smile on my face. 
      He's my God.

Maybe if I fix my eyes on God, I’ll be smiling again.

The best leaders can weather any storm.

Justin Menkes, writing in Harvard Business Review writes these abilities come from relentless and realistic optimism, single minded focus combined with looking at a complex problem with clarity.

He recommended taking a deep breath, relaxing face muscles and to speak slowly and at a lower pitch.

I have another recommendation. Pray. Cast all your cares on the Lord. He said that all things are possible to him who believes.

So take a deep breath, slow down, and pray. Great leaders in times of crisis turn to the sustainer of the universe.

He promises that the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Try it.

How can you be so stupid?

Bill George, author of TRUE NORTH, says: "Too many people reach the top only to lose their moral compasses." We've seen that in recent days when a promising congressman torpedos his political career with foolish indiscretions. We've seen prominent pastors who lose family, reputation and ministry for momentary and risky behavior. Too often, successful, talented people feel they're invulnerable to getting caught. They pursue their narcissistic pleasures to the ruin of their moral reputation.

How can a leader avoid such traps from the dark side? Start by having a group of men whol hold you accountable and who call you on stupid behavior. God's word says: "Above all, guard your heart for out of it come the big issues of life. "

When will things be normal again?

People keep asking: “When are things in the economy going to return to normal?”

Well, if the economic news last week is any indication, we won’t be returning to “normal” anytime soon. Housing issues, unemployment, sagging stock market, federal deficit all point to the fact that we’d better get used to the “new normal”.

We’re temped to ask: Will I have a job next year? Will my house sell? Will social security and medicare be there when I need it? What about my 401K?

Then we might ask: “Can I afford to give my resources to ministries?”

Amidst all the bad stuff coming out of the media, this morning I read these reassuring words from Jesus in Luke 12

"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life — whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of far more than food and clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! 26 And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?

"Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! And don't worry about food — what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

32 "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
Luke 12:22-32 NLT

Okay, Jesus. I can live with that!!

How do you make decisions?

How do you make decisions? Flip a coin? Procrastinate?

I like how they did it in the First Century church. The book of Acts records that the leadership team was seeking direction on an important strategic decision. Which way to go? Who should decide?

Then, Acts 15:28 records: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…”

So, they allowed the Spirit of God to lead their decision making. They put the matter before the Lord. And they listened to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit for the answer.

But it seems they also sought consensus from the group. And, they felt affirmed by God and by one another.

Next time your team is making a decision, pray that it would seem good to the Holy Spirit and to us as we decide and move forward.

Vision

We hear a lot of talk about vision. But not a lot of articulation of clear vision.

Vision is what you WANT to do, not just what you THINK should be done.

You can have thousands of grand ideas, but you can only really activate a few core desires of the heart.

I’ve often said: The accomplishment of the smallest good deed is far more valuable than the grandest intention never accomplished.

Jesus told about two men: one said “Yes” to a request; then didn’t do it. Another said “No” to a request; then later recanted and did what was asked. Which was better? The obvious answer is the one who ultimately acted on the right impulse.

I can give an immediate yes to a request, then try to wiggle out of it. But I’m FAR better off hesitating on making a commitment so I can think and pray about it.

I don't know where I'm going, but I'm making great time.

“To the person who goes not where he wants to go, there is no favorable wind.”

It’s true. If you don’t know where you’re going, you can’t really move forward.

A modern day philosopher, Jim Rohn says: It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way you will go.”

I think I like that statement even better. Good sailors don’t have to go “with the wind”. They know how to use their sails to make the wind take them to where they want to go.

Christ-follower, Paul of Tarsus, in the First Century warned against being unwise—toss about by waves of the sea driven by the wind.

Rather, we are to seek wisdom from God, who promises to give wisdom generously to anyone who asks in faith.

So use God’s wisdom to set your sails against the prevailing winds of the world, so you can get to where you want to go.

Attack problems, not people.

Attack the problems, not the people.

Oh what a difference that can make in relationships, from marriage to the workplace.

I’ve often said, that as we sit as a management team dealing with an issue: We’re not here to fix blame. We’re here to fix the problem.

Often the tendency to blame another person prevents the group from attacking the problem.

Now, not all problems can be solved. Some situations have to be managed. There are just some things in a sinful and broken world we just have to manage, not resolve.

So, acknowledge that there’s a problem. Recognize we are imperfect people working in an imperfect organization that exists in a far-from-perfect world.

Jesus said: “Judge not; then you will not be judged.

Are you transparent?

People appreciate it when leaders are vulnerable.

I’ve seen leaders who have made major mistakes, who keep denying their mistakes and defending their actions. They go down fighting against the skeptical and judgmental court of public opinion.

I’ve also seen leaders who have blown it in a big way. But they were quick to admit their mistakes, ask forgiveness and seek a new start. Most of the time, they move forward forgiven and accepted by their colleagues.

What’s the difference? Well, it’s the built in sense of grace and mercy towards those who are truly repentant and transparent. We are more forgiving of those who humbly admit their weaknesses, that with those who stubbornly maintain their infallibility.

Jesus told us to forgive others, just as we have been forgiven. We are to be quick to confess our own sins; at the same time quick to forgive others.

That kind of culture starts at the top, with the leader.

Lessons Learned from Climbing Cotopaxu

1. You get to the summit one rock at a time.
2. It's encouraging to climb together.
3. It sometimes helps when someone gives you a push from behind.
4. You eventually pass the pain threshold.
5. Take time to stop and look at the view.
6. There's great satisfaction in reaching the top.
7. Descending, coasting, sliding is more dangerous than climbing
8. With the challenge, you carry away bruises and scars.
9. Even after the climb and decent, there are rough roads.
10. I don't need to do this ever again.

The Global Megashift

I’m just reviewing an amazing and enlightening book by James Rutz entitle MEGASHIFT.

Most people, even most Christians, believe that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. But the evidence points to evangelical Christianity as the fastest growing faith as it sweeps China, Africa and Southeast Asia.

As I’ve long suspected, much of the church growth in the world falls between the cracks of most church surveys. Most surveys include mainline denominations and Roman Catholic churches, but miss the 707 Million “switched-on disciples” of the new church that is exploding around the world.

Hundreds of millions don’t show up on the surveys because they meet underground, or in homes, or on ski slopes. The surveys probably don’t capture, for example:

The very active Latino church meeting in a storefront in I walk past each Sunday on my way to my “mainline” church. Or the group my friend is pastoring at Copper Mountain ski resort with 20-40 attendees each Sunday, plus another 15-30 skiers who gather in a small chapel at the top of the mountain. Or they probably missed the house church of about 15-20 people I attended last month in Quito Ecuador.

Rutz states this group of 707 Million “core apostolics” are growing at 8% per year. Until 1960, Western evangelicals outnumbered non-Western evangelicals 2 to 1. By 2000, non-Western evangelicals outnumbered Westerners 4 to 1. Today that moved to 7 to 1. There are now more missionaries sent from non-Western nations than Western nations.

And this growth is fueled by some very non-Western occurrences: healings, answers to prayer, visions, and actual resurrections.

True, 3000 people were saved at Pentecost. But today, 3000 people come to Jesus every 25 minutes! There’ll be 175,000 more new believers tomorrow than there are today.

The U.S. church is no longer the parent, servicing the needs of the infant church world-wide. Today, the U.S. church must see itself as a small part of what God is doing globally. We are actually observers to what God is doing around the world. As U.S. Christian media must move on from their position as experts in communicating the Gospel to being partners with the innovation and boldness of brothers and sisters around the world using media (radio, TV, Internet, SMS, social networking, YouTube) to reach their countrymen with the Good News.

(Figures courtesy of MEGASHIFT AND World Net Daily)

Structure follows strategy

Structure follows strategy.

We’ve been talking a lot about that at our offices.

You see, it’s fine to create a good structure. But you shouldn`t be trying to find a strategy to fit your structure. You need to find a structure to facilitate your strategy.

Another way of saying it is: form follows function.

In crisis situations, you need a top-down style of get-it-done mentality.

In growth situations, you need an organic, collaborative model of doing things.

Jesus talked about the danger of putting new wine in old wineskins. It doesn’t work. The new wine will burst the old brittle wineskins. You need new containers for the new wine.

Same with new strategies. Old structures may not support new strategies.

Finding Your Strength

My daughter gave me a book for Christmas entitled, “Strengths Finder.”

The thesis of the book is that most of us waste a lot of time trying to improve on things we’re not good at. So we work and work to move from being ineffective at something, to being mediocre.
Rather we should identify what we’re good at and strive to grow in our area of strength, so that we can be exceptional using our giftedness.

In the first century, Paul the apostle outlined some of the spiritual gifts, such as administration, leadership, generosity, teaching, hospitality, encouragement, discernment, knowledge.

So, my advice is: reflect on the gift God has given you. Then under the guidance of the Holy Spirit utilize those gifts and grow in the area where you’re gifted.
~Wayne

Your Attitude determines your Altitude

Norma and I were recently in Ecuador. Our friends Martin and Ruth Harrison took us hiking up Cotopaxi. We didn’t climb to the peak (16,400), but we walked to the Refuge, which is 15,000 feet, higher than any peak in Europe. I don’t know if you’ve ever hiked to 15,000 feet. But we discovered that the heart, the brain, the muscles need oxygen. And there’s precious little of it at 15,000. We would walk 20 feet or so—then have to rest to let our heart and lungs catch up.

We’d say: “Okay, we need to get to the Refuge. But for now, let’s just get to the next rock.” The long journey to the top was overwhelming. However, we could make it a rock at a time. Once we were at the top, we enjoyed one of the best cups of hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted.

Then on the way down, I tried a little shoe skiing. I got on a bank of snow and began “skiing” downhill. My former-friend, Ruth, said she didn’t get it on video. Do it again. So I did it again. This time my feet slipped and I went sliding rapidly down the side of the mountain and slammed into one of those rocks, cracking 1 or 2 ribs, which still hurts two months later.

Anyway, I learned a few things.

The long upward journey can be overwhelmingly challenging. It demands all we’ve got. However, taking it a step at a time, a phase at a time makes it achievable. “Yard by yard is hard. Inch by inch is a cinch.”

And there’s a tremendous sense of accomplishment as a reward when you’ve reached your goal.

I was impressed with Norma’s stamina and persistence. She proved literally that your “attitude determines your altitude.”

And I learned that coasting, going down hill can be more dangerous than climbing. When we climb, we bring all our energies to bear. When we coast, we relax our guard. That’s when trouble can come.

Here’s a scripture for you: And let us not get weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9.

You Can't Over-communicate

Catherine Winder, president of Rainmaker Entertainment said, “Everybody needs as much communication as possible -- you can't over-communicate."

Jesus is the master communicator. He said things simply. He said it repeatedly. He said it personally.

Someone said, “God so loved the world, He didn’t send a committee.”

My advice: Find ways to personalize your message. Find ways to be concise and consistent. Even though you’ve said the same thing over and over again. Say it again, clearly, consistently, thoroughly and personally.

Stop Doing List

The Next Level Leadership by Scott Eblin outlines things a leader needs to pick up on and things a leader needs to let go of:

Pick up on:

Regular renewal of your energy & perspective
Team Reliance
Defining what to do
Pick up an outside-in view of the entire organization

But…Let Go of:

Running flat out until you crash
One-size-fits-all communication
Self-reliance

So, let me ask you:

What do you need to start doing?

What do you need to let go of?

Ecclessiastes 3 says, “There is a season and a time for every matter under heaven, a time to keep and a time to cast away.”

Slow down!

The sudden departure of a major corporate CEO who cited exhaustion, has left other firms pondering the pressures they put on their top executives. Directors are starting to tell their CEOs to travel less and relax more. Corporate recruiters are factoring coping abilities and mental toughness into their assessments of potential bosses.

Even in Christian organizations, this is an issue. Christian leaders talk about working 12 hours a day, going home for dinner, and doing emails for 3 hours. That's not good life balance.

I used to hear Christian leaders say: "I'd rather burn out than rust out." But either way, you're OUT!

So why not follow the Jesus model. When he was exhausted from the press of the crowds, He withdrew to a quiet place.

Jesus said Learn from me. Slow down and learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

What is Christian Leadership?

Anthony D’Souza defines Christian leadership this way:

Christian leadership seeks to be of service, rather than to dominate.

It encourages and inspires.

It respects rather than exploits others.

Christian leadership reflects, prays, and acts on Jesus words: “Whoever wishes to be first among you, shall be your servant.”

Leadership is not about control or manipulation. It’s about coming alongside a colleague and saying: “How can I help you succeed?” “How can I help you reach your goals?”

The old saying is true: Much more is caught than taught. As you model the spirit of love, listening, understanding, empowering encouraging, you will not only help others do their job, but model Christian leadership for them to follow.