On a Great Life-Lesson in Transition

As I transition out of my job I have left my office for the temporary cubicle world. This episodic foray touched off a curious game of musical chairs as a number of moves were afoot. In the space of three days I was forced to move three times, so I cheerfully (well OK not always) went through the office pushing a cart with my few office possessions to the next cube, singing along the way. I greeted my temporary neighbors with a smile; all warning me to keep my singing to a minimum. I must admit, going from a place of settled comfort to a series of temporary places did lessen my morale. So maybe it was also coupled with the loss of position and a sense of temporal uncertainty of a new job which to-date still is in a hazy cloud.

I am not overly-concerned with the job-future, although I must continue to remind myself of the "sparrow and the lillies"; this chapter has reminded me of temporary nature of our earthly tent, that is our body. I was curious of the middle-eastern bedouines. These simple peoples push their sheep across the desert, or fastidiously farm the reeds along the Tigris. Theirs is a simple lot and it reminds me that travelling light is not a bad thing.

While I have been consumed by these transitions, frankly little else has occupied my time, I have to realize that little eternal value is recompensed for our job performance, our temporary merits or our achievements, no matter how towering. I am reminded of the Judgment Seat of Christ which shall examine our investment here, Paul intimates this in 1Cr 3:12-14 "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. This foundation here he speaks of if Christ. In other words, only the spiritual things done in the right heart will last, are timeless diamonds, is limitless gold, and eternal silver!

Hard work and merit on earth are fine, even encouraged as "unto the Lord", but I am to take heed to the those things that will not be burned up...those that will abide.....not like the office or the cubicle or the position....or the money. It reminds me of the poem from the unknown author which ends with this phrase.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,"Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

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Transparent Leadership

On Building a Legacy of Transparent Leadership I once witnessed a person of power openly admit that they didn’t know what to do about a tough dilemma that the organization was currently facing. Their personal vulnerability was transparent and in a sense a very enriching personal experience for me. To listen to this man admit that he needed help was a very powerful lesson in leadership. We often create legends of the men and women who lead us; they’re either exemplars that we idolize or ones that we despise because of personal insecurities which render them poor examples of demon-seeded megalomania. Such dichotomous examples muddle the waters of aspiring leaders who may want to flee away from the arena of leadership and cast a mystical light on the cult of human power. The solution is simple; just admit it when you don’t know. When we leaders admit our faults or our lack of certainty or clarity during times of crisis, or even during the mundane for that fact, we communicate to our team that we need them. We need every member to draw from wells of creativity and help us get past the obstacles. When this happens this accomplishes some powerful things. 1. We admit we that “surprisingly” don’t know it all. Such admissions refresh the team; they draw people into solutions, creating personal value and growth in their lives and make them want to achieve the “victory for the cause”. It bonds them to us and creates a compelling organizational ethos. 2. We model humility in an age of pride, arrogance and shallowness. Wow! That preaches. 3. We communicate that it’s okay to be human, admitting one’s flaws in a culture where stylistic robot-like precision is grappled for and feigned intellect is capital for so-called power brokers. 4. That admitting that I don’t know is not a weakness, but a strength that most-often yields a deeper level of love and respect from one’s team. 5. That such honestly is the basic fabric that makes up the bedrock of organizations of integrity. Leaders who are transparent enough to admit their faults and powerlessness at times are really the strong. This is the stuff that creates real “leader-legends” and legacies of confidence for our subordinates that really endure.

Having a Good Name

Pro 22:1 A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold. If I have my name on it, I insist on it being of good quality. If God puts His name on it, we must insist on not besmirching it. If you're redeemed, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Make up your mind to mortify the deeds of the flesh and live in fear of the Lord. The only way of insuring a good name. Choose it.

When Your Prayers Fail

Psa 66:18 says, If I regard iniquity in my heart,the Lord will not hear [me]. Often, we fail, often we sin. It is a wise thing to keep short accounts with our Heavenly Father. Christ taught the disciples to pray and in that prayer he reveals what our attitudes are to be towards the Almighty. An attitude of adoration and veneration and a surrendered humble servant confessing our sins and forgiving others. Until such devotion is rendered we cannot even begin to ask for our physical needs. Spurgeon comments on this verse in his "A Treasury of David": (On) Verse 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart. If, having seen it to be there, I continue to gaze upon it without aversion; if I cherish it, have a side glance of love toward it, excuse it, and palliate it; The Lord will not hear me. How can he? Can I desire him to connive at my sin, and accept me while I wilfully cling to any evil way? Nothing hinders prayer like iniquity harboured in the breast; as with Cain, so with us, sin lieth at the door, and blocks the passage. If thou listen to the devil, God will not listen to thee. If you refuse to hear God's commands, he will surely refuse to hear thy prayers. An imperfect petition God will hear for Christ's sake, but not one which is wilfully miswritten by a traitor's hand. For God to accept our devotions, while we are delighting in sin, would be to make himself the God of hypocrites, which is a fitter name for Satan than for the Holy One of Israel. Wise counsel indeed. Blessings.

Sweet Gentle Friend

Most recently, I lost a dear friend. He was one of the most unassuming men I have ever known; his kindness drew many in. By Ron's graceful and elegant charm he was warm, cheerful and affirming, and was always an encouragement to anyone, certainly to me. His humility was unparalleled and his meekness was beyond description. He had a station in life that was noteworthy; he rose to the rank of Major General in the service; perhaps you would have not realized it, it rarely was mentioned. My friend Ron was winsome; he was a stirring testament to everyone around. When you were in his presence you were awed by his gentle way, you realized that were in the presence of a firm picture of Christ; it was as if you were behind the temple veil. It was as if his face shown like Moses' coming from the presence of the Almighty. You see Ron was one of the most godly men that I have ever known. In his final year with us, he spoke of his "ministry of cancer" as a sanctified assignment from God. By it he used every waking hour through his treatment and pain as an occasion to share the Gospel; the same calming gospel that brought healing to the nations and peace to Ron. He never complained, he never waivered, rather he resolutely set his face like a flint to Heaven, rejoicing and bringing his sheaves with him. When I ponder what his life and passing meant I am reminded that his way was a sweet peaceful example of what it means to be an ambassador. Earth is just a temporary stop for us, a place where the Lord has put us but only for a season. Can you let the peace that passes all understanding which is our schoolmaster here be your example? Will you not walk the Emmaus Road and tarry with Christ? How is your peace today? Find Christ while it’s not too late. See you soon my friend.

On Trusting the Precious

Can you think of a time when your father purposefully hurt you, either physically, or emotionally? I mean these things happen in our humaness, but purposful hurt? Perhaps you're a father or mother, can you fathom being cruel to your children? Would you allow them to take a life path to their hurt or destruction? I am sure top side of the earth that there are some that may have, but this is very far from ordinary. I cannot imagine a parent that would lead their children to a cliff.

I am reminded of tradegies each day. A work associate and friend dropped an email; her teen nephew was struck by a motorist as he was riding his bicycle. One second he was alive, the next he was gone...just like that. A dear friend goes through a life shattering event and another is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. We struggle with financial difficulties due to loss of work or through external factors that eat away our investments. I am reminded at my office of the suicide rate of returning soldiers from the war. Having been a member of that small fraternity I can understand their internal struggles. I can honestly say that my faith in the Lord and His Person has provided a deep well during these barren times. I am sustained, because He sustains me.

Friend, God loves you. You may not be able at this time make any sense of your hurt or you may find yourself with more questions than answers but God knows your pain. I think of the prophet Jeremiah who was called to tell the people of Israel of their pending judgment. Forty years he prophsied and never won a hearing; he was beaten, cast into a miry pit, mocked but he never lost faith in the Lord. Listen to his words in Jeremiah 17:15-17: "Behold, they say unto me, Where [is] the word of the LORD? let it come now. As for me, I have not hastened from [being] a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was [right] before thee. Be not a terror unto me: thou [art] my hope in the day of evil." He waivered not because he knew that the Lord waivers not! If you are a child of God, let me ask you, would your Heavenly Father lead you to the cliff? Would He purposely hurt you or trick you into a place of destruction?

Let me ask you, do you trust Him? Would you stop, wait, listen, meditate on His Word? I love the song "Bow the Knee" by Chris Machen. Consider the words of the chorus,

Bow the knee;
Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see.
Bow the knee;
Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity.
And when you don’t understand the purpose of His plan,
In the presence of the King, bow the knee.

Listen to the song presented beautifully by the Stoneybrook Church on this You Tube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ek5LZYYOQ0

Blessings for Hope!

On the Precious Frgrance of an English Garden

Many years ago, I fancied the delight of an English garden. Its fragrances were a welcomed cool trace across my visage in the heat of that two week stint in a hot Kansas summer. It many times invited me into that place of solace, a welcomed escape from the day at hand. I gazed upon those precious little flowers, their delicate arms were oft visited by those flitting butterflies and the stalwart bee intent on his toil. Times I am reminded of that pastime; it evokes memories and carries me into a place of long ago in my precious south, to a place where I enjoyed another sweet solace, the woodsy palace of prayer upon the hill.

Whispers of the Lord sweetly drawing near, like a flitting wing of an eagle drawing down to bring some peaceful comfort. Such always seemed to be a pleasant scent; a cooling calm in the face of some crisis. Firmly, crises are a part of every life. Sometimes the prayers of others are the fragrance, like the sweet savor before the temple, that brings the calm or a peace; your faithful friend intercedes, the Lord sends a restraining angel or He brings a new circumstance to thwart the heat.

Though that little English garden and I are apart, I have sensed the calmness and that wafty scent many times. In Iraq it was the whir of rockets screeching o’er head, it has been a stalwart calming , knowing that many were sending up a sweet savor for me. It was a rocket piercing my office, I being safely away; yet another sweet-smelling savor. It was the restraining Hand of the Lord that helped my precious wife and son that day out there on that highway, it was God’s precious favor granting prayers for many things over the years. How about you? Are you mindful of the precious interceding prayers of many for you? Are you grateful for the precious fragrance of those little English gardens? I will always remember that little garden and that hill of my childhood, where the Lord came. Where He walked with me, and He talked with me; where He even today tells me I am His own. Blessings. Sherrell

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