Happy Birthday!

Today is my birthday, and it's a significant one: 60! As I write this post, I am struggling with the fact that this post is about me. I try to live by the principle of be interested, not interesting. Today I hope that I am interesting enough that it will be a benefit to you...

For this birthday, although I am looking more closely at my own mortality, I am looking over my shoulder at my life up to this point. The question I am asking is: What is my legacy?

What am I leaving behind me that has built the Kingdom of God? What lives have I invested in that are now making a difference in their world? Have I built into a life that is in turn building into another's life, and that life is building into another? Am I reproducing generations of leaders and world-changers?

Early in my life and ministry it was all about me. I was on the ego-boosting roller coaster of pride, arrogance, and self-importance. I sought the 15 minutes of fame, and wanted it to last for years.

I began to realize that the world didn't revolve around me (go figure). My desires, my interests, and my attentions were misplaced. I was focusing on things that are inconsequential.

Rather, the world revolves around God and what He desires to do in my life and in the lives of those around me.

Although during the last few decades I have been seeking to live a life of more humility and more Kingdom of God building, there are still traces of those old attributes that show themselves in me. I do not like them. I do not treasure them. Now, they are repulsive to me.

But as I look back, and continue to look forward (I'm not that old), I am encouraged. I still can have an influence for God's Kingdom. Before me lies more days and years to have an impact on people. God still has plans for my life, and He desires to work those plans...

My prayer continues to be these lyrics:

My hands, my feet: an offering.

Your will I choose to do.

When time has passed the world will see

My legacy is You.

Lead Well!

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Can You Hear The Applause?

We hear applause everywhere: At political rallies, at sporting events, at concerts, and yes, even in worship services (not a bad thing if the applause are directed to the Lord).

What is interesting to me though, is the type and amount of applause that is being offered up. Each setting is different, yet the clapping and cheering are pretty much the same.

Applause is a two-edged sword. On the one hand (no pun intended), it encourages the receiver to go forward, press on, and work harder. But on the other hand (still no pun intended), it can become like a drug that causes people to do things so they can receive more.

And that brings me to the question that I am so fond of asking not only to myself, but to others also: Why do you do what you do? Is it because you have a deep-seated need to express yourself in the area that you have been gifted (profession, arts, sports, etc.)? Or do you simply do it for the applause?

Each of us were created with gifts, talents, and abilities. Are we using those gifts, talents, and abilities to receive applause (it can come in other forms besides clapping), or are we exercising those gifts, talents, and abilities to make life better for others? 

Which brings me to another one of those questions: Are we living for ourselves, or are we living for others?

When the applause are over, how do you feel? Empty? Fulfilled? Wanting more?

Think about it. I applaud your consideration. Lead Well!

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Proud To Be Humble

Humility. Some people seek attention, praise, and honor. Some people seek to simply be hidden. But, I believe everyone struggles with humility.

Please know that I struggle with humility like everyone else. 

Consider what Proverbs 22:4 says: Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.

One thing I find interesting in this verse: Humility brings honor.

Humility and pride are a difficult balancing act for Believers. Among other things we are redeemed, forgiven, seated with Christ in heavenly places, protected, gifted, abundantly blessed, favored, and called God’s Children. Wow! With all of those characteristics, it can be easy to be prideful.

But what is humility? Humility is not demeaning ourselves (“I’m just a sinner saved by grace…”). We are so much more than that! (See the list above…) Humility is not squashing our egos. When we try to, we tend to pride ourselves in squashing our egos. 

Humility is basically directing our egos away from ourselves. Rick Warren once said in The Purpose Driven Life, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less."

How can we demonstrate humility? In two ways: Give all praise to God for anything we are praised for. After all, everything comes from Him. We are created by Him, gifted by Him, empowered by Him, and are used by Him.

In the same way, when praising others, don’t praise the person, praise the Lord.

When we praise others, we oftentimes are building their egos and making it difficult for them to walk in humility.

Praise God when someone else does well. Again, it is the Lord who created them, gave them abilities, and is working through them.

Secondly, give away what we have as Believers. (Again, see the list above.) Our relationship with Christ is not for us to hoard, but to share. Gloat in what I have, or give what I have? That’s a question we should all ask ourselves.

May we walk in humility. May we share what we have with others. May we expand the Kingdom of God locally and around the world… In humility! Lead Well!

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