Today, the pastors of our local church (including "yours truly") were showered with appreciation that was truly over-the-top touching. I always sign my blog posts "Grateful". Today, another word seems even more appropriate...
Humbled
I just read through many cards. One precious church member wrote,"Please never leave our church. We would surely be lost without your leadership."
Talk about "touching". I am humbled, indeed! Yet, I am keenly and confidently aware that while they might find themselves at a temporary loss if and when God ordains my departure, the local church would still be ultimately led by the True Shepherd Who laid down His Life to find His lost flock -- Jesus. After all, His name is on the sign -- Church of THE NAZARENE.
Read John, chapter 10.
Yours Truly... Humbled.
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Friday, March 4, 2011
But Among You It Will Be Different.
In this New Testament passage, Jesus teaches His own about serving others. The first seven words of verse 43 is where Jesus really nails the truth home for those of us who will be called "His fully devoted disciples".
(35) Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to Him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” (36) “What is your request?” He asked. (37) They replied, “When You sit on Your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to You, one on Your right and the other on Your left.” (38) But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” (39) “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from My bitter cup and be baptized with My baptism of suffering. (40) But I have no right to say who will sit on My right or My left. God has prepared those places for the ones He has chosen.” (41) When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. (42) So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. (43) But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, (44) and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. (45) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
-- Mark 10:35-43 (NLT)
Consider it all joy. -- James 1:2-4
Grateful
(35) Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to Him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” (36) “What is your request?” He asked. (37) They replied, “When You sit on Your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to You, one on Your right and the other on Your left.” (38) But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” (39) “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from My bitter cup and be baptized with My baptism of suffering. (40) But I have no right to say who will sit on My right or My left. God has prepared those places for the ones He has chosen.” (41) When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. (42) So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. (43) But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, (44) and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. (45) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
-- Mark 10:35-43 (NLT)
Consider it all joy. -- James 1:2-4
Grateful
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Prayer for a Pure Heart & The Mind of Christ
Pray along with me these soul-searching words in Psalm 139:23-34:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (NLT)
Lord, I want my heart in your flame -- yes, a pure heart -- and my head in your game -- yes, I desire the mind of Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.
ALL JOY!
Grateful
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (NLT)
Lord, I want my heart in your flame -- yes, a pure heart -- and my head in your game -- yes, I desire the mind of Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.
ALL JOY!
Grateful
Friday, August 7, 2009
My Book... Relational Leadership...
Some of you are aware that I wrote a manuscript on "Relational Leadership" a while back. Well, on Thursday, August 6, 2009 (my parents' 49th wedding anniversary) the first printing of the book landed at my front door from Beacon Hill Press (Kansas City). I am very humbled.
As I had hoped, it's paperback, about 125 pages, and cost less than $12, it's only $11.99 :-); so almost anyone can afford a copy. If you're interested, the book can be purchased from Nazarene Publishing House. Here is the contact information: Click here: NPH.com -- Relational Leadership: What I learned from a Fisherman About Leading a Church or call 1.800.877.0700.
If you live in Harrisonburg, VA. copies of the book should be available in the days ahead at the local church.
ALL JOY!
Grateful
As I had hoped, it's paperback, about 125 pages, and cost less than $12, it's only $11.99 :-); so almost anyone can afford a copy. If you're interested, the book can be purchased from Nazarene Publishing House. Here is the contact information: Click here: NPH.com -- Relational Leadership: What I learned from a Fisherman About Leading a Church or call 1.800.877.0700.
If you live in Harrisonburg, VA. copies of the book should be available in the days ahead at the local church.
ALL JOY!
Grateful
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
God Knows Our Hearts & Our Thoughts
According to Psalm 139:23-24, God cares what's in our hearts and what's on our minds. Let's join the Psalmist in this prayer for God's leadership in our lives:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
ALL JOY!
Grateful
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
ALL JOY!
Grateful
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
