Worshipping Quietly

Not often that I post on Sunday, but today is very much worth writing about...

Palm Sunday and this coming Passion Week is maybe overlooked by our exuberant worship because we, as Christ-followers, live on this side of the Cross.  However, pausing on the palm-waving could actually serve us well in remembering more deeply.  Why?  Pausing to worship quietly reflects how Christ might have viewed things at that very moment.  It is, in fact, the last week of His life here on earth.  There is no doubt much on His heart and mind.  He knows that His time is drawing near.  And, the "triumphant entry" as we term it, starts the clock for the most important week in the history of the world.

"Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord..." is appropriate in light of who He is.  But how sincere was their gregarious worship?  For as the hours turned to days approaching the arrest and trial of Christ, those thick crowds of eager palm-wavers thinned to just a faithful few who stood vigil at the Cross.  

It appears that true, genuine worship might begin quietly.  How can we rightly celebrate an empty tomb without first reflecting deeply on what put Him there?!?  Richard Foster, in his book Sanctuary of the Soul, writes, "Worship can be fully valid when there are no thrills or flights of ecstasy."  Allow the true meditation on His suffering instead of the crescendo of the music to bring you into heartfelt worship.  For He alone is worthy!

What needs to be turned off or tuned out in order for true worship to come forth from your heart this week?

Why Know-it-alls Won't Stay There Long Term

Ever met someone that you couldn't tell them about anything new?  They already knew it...  Those kinds of people are unfortunately everywhere.  (I use to make up stories just to throw off people like that.)  It's like a child...  You tell them something and they respond, "I know that..."  Adults are worse.  They've allowed years of dogmatism and maturing egos to make them close-minded. 

Proverbs 12:1 (a book for career students) says, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."  In other words, "know-it-alls" are not intelligent people.  They aren't smart at all.  When we refuse to allow good counsel to bend us, we will eventually break by the demands of life.  Here's the point: People who feel like they "know-it-all" can get to certain places, but they don't stay there long.  Life is made up of too many evaluations and course corrections to assume knowledge arrival!  Those who choose to remain the same potentially lose their influence and ultimately any intended impact.  The key to long term effectiveness is possessing a teachable spirit.  So, let's check our ego in at the door and actually stay a while!

Who do you need to listen to more intently and openly?  What decision needs to be altered or course, corrected in your life or business today?

Why Red is the Wrong Color of Carpet in Your Church

Aside from the fact that red would be an incredibly audacious color of carpet in any church, the idea behind this claim is much larger.  The "red carpet" mentality is not meant for the body of Christ.  As a matter of fact, the biblical description of Christ's Church and her leadership is the contrast.  To encourage this poignant picture will put everything (and, everyone) in the proper place.  Christ demonstrated humility in his life and mission.  His service unto death models for us the spirit that must be embodied within His Church.  When men take joy or find comparisons in their own bios, the right intention of ministry erodes.  Fostering or protecting big titles over pure serving is evil and will dilute the message of the gospel.  Healthy authority brings clarity; ego-centered agendas are distracting. Servant leadership is the solution for overcoming the temptation to flex muscles of self-image.  Whether you actually chose red carpet as a floor covering in your church building, the celebrity runway should be reserved for only ONE!

What steps do you need to take and put into practice to keep personal ego at bay?

The One Thing That Will Keep Your Life Motivated

There is one thing that will keep your life motivated!  When all else will seem to fail, an intrinsic prod will prevail: love is the great motivator.  Without love, life has no meaning.  Rather, love fills our days with passionate purpose.  Love means I can forgive, I can release, I can work hard, I can have fun, I can enjoy others around me...  You don't have to have a "special someone" to stay motivated today and everyday.  It's all based on a renewed understanding that love is Christ-centered and can impact everything you do! 

Love is the factory for patience, kindness and humility.  It is the groundwork for all healthy relationships.  Love is our reference point for diligence and efficiency.  Love describes proper decision-making and defines a good one.  Love is the decision!
Love is life with its sleeves rolled up, digging deep in servanthood.  Love removes any intimidation of messy missions and enables a genuine joy in sacrificing for another.  Love will tirelessly take up the orphan's cause and boldly rescue the abused from the clutches of the hater.  Love will stir your heart! 
Love will make a business person better in business, a preacher better at preaching, a teacher better at explaining, a mother better at nurturing, a father better at protecting and a marriage better at empathy.  It will make a friend more faithful, an artist more inspired and a driver even more patient on the highway commute.  Love will make a walk slower, a run faster and a conversation deeper. 
Love clears the air, dampens discouragement, purges wrong motives and puts wind in the sails of your dreams!  Love will break your heart, wipe your tears, fund your project, trap your adversaries and lift your load.  Love will take you further than you could go on your own and lead you to the end of your life with a legacy for future generations to enjoy...because, love is the one thing that will keep your life motivated!

"...love will last forever!" 1 Corinthians 13:8

What area of my life needs an infusion of God's love?

The Unattractiveness of Begging for Attention

Thanks to the venue of social media, we get to see individuals from all walks of life barter for attention - the I'll show you what I'm doing and see if you can top it game.  Whether it's intentional or not, trying to get the recognition from others at any cost is frankly unattractive.  And, the more one does it, the less appealing that person can become.  We've all done it to some level - the bragging thing.  You know, check out who I had dinner with tonight or where our family got to go on vacation... The more we fall into the trap of trying to out-perform, the greater the chances that we'll find ourselves in the endless cycle of comparing ourselves to others.  No fun, and not attractive!  If you are constantly trying to prove something or boast about something new in your life, check yourself out more deeply.  And, pause to remember that you are loved by the God of the Universe!  Wanna know how to get healthy attention?  Be crazy generous with those who can't pay you back.  Embrace the Audience of One mentality.  Maintain a Christlike attitude with everyone.  We all need God's grace to walk this out.  Living as a child of God, enabled by that grace makes you attractive.  And, that's enough!

How can you embrace a better version of you in light of who you are in Christ?

A Leader's Attitude

As I was praying over my son before dropping him off at school this morning, I heard myself say, "And, Father, give Ethan a leader's attitude..."  I had never remembered using those actual words before in a prayer.  So, it really got me thinking about that phrase - a leader's attitude.  What does that mean?  Well, I knew what it meant for my son in preparation for his day among friends and teachers.  But there is more to the meaning of those words. 

Having the demeanor of a leader contrasts everything bullish and demeaning.  Rather, it reflects a spirit that is very much in tune with the act of leading.  Leaders lead people to a better place.  Breaking it down, leaders lead people...  They don't lead organizations or machines or offices or programs.  They lead the people behind those things.  A real leader rarely forgets about the value of what he or she does.  Leaders lead people.  And, leaders lead people to a better place.  They don't drive them or nag them or brutalize them.  They aren't manipulative with a self-seeking agenda.  No, they lead people to a better place - a better place for the people they are leading more than for the organization or program.  And, leaders expect better, hope for better, envision better, paint a picture of what it means to be better.  Better is significant because it means progress, movement in the right direction, forward into the potential of those they lead. 

A leader's attitude demonstrates an onward drive while never forgetting what it's all about - leading people.  Never underestimate your attitude as a leader.  It's the very ingredient that is indispensable to the success of what you do.

How is your attitude as a leader?  What steps can you take this week to insure the right attitude among those you lead?

Why People Skills Matter

I just recently had a phone conversation with a business vendor for my home.  A particular appliance wasn't working and I needed a repair person to come out as soon as possible.  The person that took my call just so happened to be the mechanic and began to inform me that the earliest he could get to the situation would be at least a week.  I asked if there were other repair people available or someone else I could speak with and he said that he was the only one in the office.  Sensing his disconnect, I restated the urgency of the matter to which he replied that if he knew sooner about the need, he could have worked it in sooner...  What?  I was appalled...to which I responded, "That is insulting...!"  I explained to him that if that particular appliance had evidenced any signs that it needed repair earlier, I would have called him then.  I told him that his office would be hearing from me again.  And then I said goodbye and hung up the phone in disgust. 

This is only an example and not a rant.  Had it not been for an apologetic call from the supervisor later that day who heard about my conversation with this repair person, I would have changed carriers all together.  What's the point?  People skills matter - always!  Restaurants lose customers, churches lose attendees, companies lose employees, schools lose students and marriages lose a spouse because someone didn't see that people skills were important enough.  Dealing with people in a caring, understanding and patient way helps to retain and even gain these key players in our organization and personal lives.

Granted, people will not always see it from our perspective: people can be frustrating;  people can be impatient; people can be demanding; people can be difficult.  But without a renewed knowledge of how to deal with personalities and humanity in general, our success with them is up for chance, at best.  Take time in the early part of the new year to sharpen the ability to relate well with others.  Listen intently; serve energetically; care patiently.  Make people priority, because without them, what we are doing and selling won't matter at all!

What area of your people skills can you improve in the new year?