When the handle comes off

This morning, I went to open my door to the car, and the handle broke right off!
I suppose sometimes I might be tempted to yell inaudibly, or kick the door or think a swear word...
but today, I just went in through the other door and went on my way. I guess I took it as one of those "that's life" moments. As I was thinking of that on the way to work this morning, it hit me that there are probably many people out there, today, with a "broken handle" problem; but it is much more serious than a physical car door handle.

They feel the handle has come off of their life. They think they are opening a door that should work, and all of a sudden, everything changes. They are told they are not loved anymore by the one who promised to love them forever. They are told there is not enough money and with mandatory layoffs, it is their turn. They are told something negative turned up on the x-ray.
Or, it could be a number of life's "broken door handle" circumstances.

The real question is not whether it is going to happen; but what should we do when it does happen? Better yet: what does God want us to do when it happens? Here are some brief thoughts that guide me in the "broken door handle" kind of stuff.

1) Give thanks
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
It might seem strange to give thanks when the handle comes off; but there is always something to give thanks for. If it is just the handle, thank God it wasn't the whole door. Get the idea?
Plus, God promises in many places, including Romans 8:28, 29, that all things, including this, is a part of God's plan for our spiritual good and the process of conforming to His will.

2) Commit it to God
Philippians 4:6-8 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is nay excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

God does want us to cry out to him about the broken handle and tell him exactly how we feel. But included in that is deciding not to worry about it, give thanks and leave it with God. And then commit yourself to thinking about the truth in that circumstance. So, whether it is something as small as a broken car door handle or more serious like a disease or broken relationship, your heart and mind can be set on the right things.

3) Get counsel
Proverbs 11:14 - "...in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
After we give thanks, and after we take it to God, leave the anxiety with God and think about it rightly, it is time to talk to others we trust. And if we are having trouble thinking about it rightly, someone else who is walking with God can be a huge help in that area. God could solve your problem or at the least, give you additional support through a friends' counsel.

4) Do your part
Philippians 2:12 - "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
This is not about earning your salvation, but it is about living out your salvation - "working it out" in everyday life. And when the handle comes off, and once you have prayed and sought counsel, it is time to make a decision and do your part. The results are up to God, but He still asks us to step forward to do what is good and right in every situation.

Living in Leviticus

I have been around 45 years on this earth and a pastor for over 18 years. I don't remember ever uttering the name of the biblical book: Leviticus, and then receive any kind of enthusiastic utterance. I don't remember hearing anything like: That book is my favorite; awesome; I really grew from reading and studying that book; I couldn't put it down; I felt like God was speaking right to my heart; I found my life verse in this book; I can't wait to share with you what I learned from Leviticus; If there is one book you need to read, to know how to live for God, its Leviticus!

Now, I have no doubt that someone, somewhere, has said something like the statements above; but I have never heard them. I admit that this is not a book that has excited me over the years. However, since I do believe in II Timothy 3:16,17, that ALL Scripture (including Leviticus) is God-breathed; and that it is here to help me grow in Christ, then I must find out how. And, it means, that although it doesn't have to be our favorite, it certainly should not be ignored as though God accidentally included it in Holy Scripture!

There are some verses in Leviticus, that help reveal the theme of this God-breathed book:
Leviticus 11:44 - "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy..."
Leviticus 11:45 - "...You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."
Leviticus 19:2 - "...You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy."
Leviticus 20:7 - "Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God."
Leviticus 20:26 - "You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy..."

Holiness, being set apart to God, is a major theme of Leviticus. And although the details of how God asked the nation of Israel to demonstrate holiness in those days may differ from the details for us today, there is a great opportunity to capture how important holiness is to God, into our hearts. When you read Leviticus, take to heart just how crucial holiness was in God's sight; and see how all the incredible detail included here speaks to that truth.

Then, ask God to help you to see where holiness fits on your own personal "radar"; and what God might be asking you to do, specifically, to honor Him in holiness. This can be a daily prayer. You might not gain many details of living from Leviticus; but you can take away much about the character of God. And then, it is up to me, up to us, to work hard at figuring out what holiness looks like in our lives today.

And maybe, just maybe, if I can grasp this concept, and if it changes my life for the good, the words may be expressed, if not out loud, then at least in my heart: " I am loving Leviticus"!

NO SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO...

On February 14, 2005, I walked into my office to officially begin my first day as lead pastor of Grace Baptist Church. What a 7 year period it has been! I suppose I could focus on the negative things. There certainly have been those. But instead, I am choosing to focus on the blessings God has brought to me, and allowed me to experience in these 7 years. (this is certainly NOT an exhaustive list; but it is a start)

• I have learned to depend on God more than ever (still desperately need Him)
  
• I have learned more about my weaknesses and have given myself to growing (still growing)
  
• I have learned, through many mistakes, about what it takes to lead a church (still learning)
  
• I have learned to be honest and transparent, allowing people to see my weaknesses, sin struggles, and what I am passionate about (still needing to learn how to communicate these well to some)
• I have experienced true friends, who are there, no matter what (incredible blessing)
• My wife and children have been awesome and God has used them to keep me going in tough times (I love them more every day)
• I am privileged to serve with the best pastor I know: Steve Strong. He is a friend, tells me the truth, and keeps my focus on God. (yes, I know he's a youth pastor, but to me, he is a pastor, in all sense of the biblical word)
• I have seen many people come to faith in Christ (there is nothing better!)
• I have had the privilege of baptizing many, identifying with Christ and committing to following Him (wow - what an experience!)
• I have seen, with my own eyes, people taking their next steps in Christ, and just rejoicing inside as I hear them share their excitement with our congregation (If I am not a pastor to see people discipled, taking their next steps, then I'm in it for the wrong reasons).
• I have seen some marriages restored, some sinful habits broken, and some real personal growth in those who have given me the privilege of helping them (to God be the glory)
• I have seen a faithful God, in the ups and downs of these 7 years, stay with me, never let me down, and continually forgive my daily sins (Thank you God!)
• I have come to love the people of Grace. I would do anything for them. That is a personal blessing, that for these 7 years, God has allowed me to come to know and love a group of people like this (and each day is a new day to learn to love even more)
• If tomorrow is my last day here at Grace, I will choose to remember the blessings, the privilege, for this time in my life, to be one of her pastors. (Lord, just give me another day to enjoy the blessings that come with this ministry...please)
  

Axiom - a book review

While on vacation, I had the opportunity to do some extra reading. One of the books I read was: Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs by Bill Hybels. I am always looking to improve as a leader, and reading leadership books, with an eye toward improvement is one way to do that. My overall evaluation is that reading this book is worth any leader's time. They are easy to read, short chapters; and I read the entire book in about a day. Certainly, the author shares much of his story; but I found many great reminders and new ideas, that are helpful to me, as a growing leader. I know there will always be more to learn; and I never want to stop doing so.

Let me share some of my favorite quotes:
p.17 - "The very best leaders I know wrestle with words until they are able to communicate their big ideas in a way that captures the imagination, catalyzes action, and lifts spirits."

p.23 - "If you're chasing a bold vision, one of the greatest gifts you can give the people around you is to get in front of them, eyeball-to-eyeball, and ask them to step up and do something great for God."

p.37 - "At some point in their leadership journey, every leader gets a vision from God."

p.56 - "You know you've ingested a little incrementalism when innovation is no longer welcomed in your environment."

p.61 - "Only God."

p.67 - "The key learning is this: What you value in your church must be raised up, taught about, and celebrated on a regular basis."

p.80 -"What' the biggest mistake you've ever made as a leader?...My answer's always the same: Placing people in significant leadership roles who were not first tested."

p.88 - "How are you doing...really?"

p.99 - "Always give the bad news first."

p.118 - "One of the most consistent cries I hear from church attendees all over the world is the cry for clarity from their pastors."

p.125 - "The healthiest organizations I see are not conflict-free. They are just ridiculously committed to keeping short accounts."

p.159 - "A very wise man once told me that tucked deep inside every critic's attack is usually at least a tiny kernal of truth."

p.196 - "Great leaders read frequently. They read voraciously. They read classics and new releases."

p.200 - "Promptness is about character, and leaders are not beyond the rules that govern things like courtesy and character. Arrive early or not at all."

p.214 - "The question is not whether we'll leave, I'd tell my colleagues. The question is how well we'll leave when its finally our turn to go."