Thursday, April 30, 2009

Gifts


Have you ever marvelled at what some people can do? Maybe it was a speaker at a conference who really moved you. Perhaps it was someone neatly painting your house. Or maybe it was your child playing an instrument of some kind. Check out this short video above to see a fifth grader with some obvious God-given gifts.

The Bible tells us that we have each been given gifts and my gifts will not be the same as your gifts. We are each to use our gifts to glorify God and we are not to be jealous of the gifts others possess.

You may feel like you don't have a lot to offer. You might not feel particularly gifted. But you are! God has wired you the way He has on purpose and He wants to use you! It may be using your gifts behind the scenes which is just as important as being up on stage speaking to a large audience.

I encourage you to seek out a class on spiritual gifts at your church or in your community to determine your gift mix if you don't already know. Lean into Him and use what He has given you!

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Bad Bosses

At Toponlineengineeringdegree.com, there is an article about the 25 worst bosses of all time. I'm not sure how they determined the rankings but it makes for a fun read.

If you have a rotten boss, it will more than likely make you feel a little better--at least you might realize that it could be worse.

This list can also be a reminder to us that we don't want to be on anyone's list of worst bosses. As many of you know, I had a boss who I would rank right up there with those on the top five of this list. He was an egotistical tyrant who made life miserable for all who worked for him. He truly believed in the adage, "The beatings will continue until morale improves!" He so impacted me that I wrote a book (Bleedership, Biblical First-Aid for Leaders) where I contrasted his leadership style with the great leaders of the Bible.

Now I am so thankful he was in my life because God used that tough situation to change the entire trajectory of my life. So if you are dealing with a tough manager, hang in there--at some point in time you will probably see this time as a blessing.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Friends

Have you ever watched Animal Planet or a similar show where a cheetah or lion is hunting a zebra or other animal? Have you ever noticed which animal the hunter goes after? It is usually the one who is isolated and not with the rest of the pack.

We have an enemy who does the same thing. In fact, 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

When things are tough we have a tendency as humans to isolate ourselves...and that is exactly what our enemy wants! That makes his job much easier. That is why I was not surprised by the New York Times story written by Tara Parker-Pope in which she said that having good friends can help you to recover from illness faster, make tough jobs easier and actually help you to have a longer life.

We were made by God to be in community. Friends offer us guidance when we need it. Friends listen when we need to vent. Friends help to protect us.

So who are you doing life with?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12

Monday, April 27, 2009

More Choices

" It's not what happens to you, but how you react that matters."
Epictetus

Ray Kroc, Ben Hogan, Wilma Rudolph. What do these three people have in common? They all chose to overcome some incredible obstacles to reach their goal. The obstacles they had were not ordinary, in fact, most told them they could not do it. Does that sound familiar to your life?

A little after I put up my post on Friday about the choices we have in life, I received a link to a 3 minute video about the same thing. It tells a little of the stories of the three mentioned above. Check it out here. I believe it will inspire you.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Door Number One

Do you remember the game show “Let’s Make a Deal?” I used to watch that all the time when I was a kid. I’m not sure why, but I liked it.

Maybe it was the crazy costumes contestants wore. But I think it had to do more with watching the agony in which participants would go through in making a decision over whether to take what was behind door number one or door number two.

Why is it so hard for us to sometimes make choices?

I just finished a book by John Maxwell called The Choice is Yours. The following was written in his introduction:

Life is a matter of choices. What will you do for your career? Whom will you marry? Where will you live? How much education will you get? What do you want to do with today? But another choice is much more important than these: who will you become?

The only true freedom each of us has in life is the freedom to choose. But once we choose, we become the servant of our choices. Author and professor
C.S. Lewis observed, “Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part that chooses, into something a little different than what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature.”

Nobody desires to take the path that leads downward. Each of us aspires to be something more, something bigger. The secret to the uphill path comes in the individual choices we make.

I heard it asked recently, “If someone spits on you does that make you mad?” Most would say YES, but that’s not true. What it makes you is wet. It is your choice to be mad.

So, will you choose the high road, the sometimes difficult road that climbs ever upward or will you choose the easy road? Choose wisely today!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Be Still...

Over the past couple of weeks I have encouraged at least three people to take a retreat for the first time. Each of these people were either really stressed or they were feeling somewhat disconnected from God. I was encouraged to add this to my repertoire about a year and a half ago and it has really helped me…in so many ways, especially in my relationship with Christ.

Because I have been a little stressed lately and because I am seeking His direction in a lot of areas of my life, I thought I better take my own advice. So…yesterday, I had a retreat of my own. It amazes me how different each one is for me.

Sometimes I get some incredible revelations while other times I feel God’s presence in amazing ways.

Yesterday was not one of those revelation days. But, it was a day filled with His presence and peace. I spent some time praising Him. I did some reading. I did some praying. I spent time simply being quiet before the Lord. I spent about three and a half hours in all, maybe four.

And you know what? The second half of my day went very smoothly. Do you think there is a connection here?

It’s amazing how things work when you put Him first.

“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10a

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Trust

I just read an article about the Korean automaker Hyundai and the reason they have had so much influence in the automotive market. When Hyundai made their debut in the US in 1986, they did so by selling a lot of vehicles, many of which had quality issues. They quickly became the laughingstock of the industry. One joke went like this: "How do you double the value of a Hyundai? You fill the gas tank."

A pretty tough start.

However, this is not the end of the story. The article continues with this...

Reeling from quality concerns, Hyundai had to reestablish trust with wary consumers. In an attempt to do so, the company settled upon a marketing plan to offer over-the-top security to customers willing to buy Hyundai. Dangling the incentive of America's Best Warranty, Hyundai won back the business of skeptical uyers.

However, convincing customers to buy was only half the battle. Could Hyundai satisfy them and earn repeat business? Thankfully for Hyundai, it was able to deliver quality and fix its image. In stepping up its caliber of manufacturing, Hyundai equaled and, in some cases, surpassed the Japanese automakers in measures of quality. By doing so, the company won back the trust of customers.



As a result of this turnaround, Hyundai has been able to be an influential player in the automotive market. Today, Hyundai has been the trendsetter in consumer warranty and assurance programs that have been copied by their competitors. They now have influence.

A couple of valuable lessons here. First, trust is paramount to growing in your influence. Second, if you have failed in establishing trust in any way, as Hyundai initially did, all is not lost. You can make the effort to win back the trust of others. However, telling someone that they can trust you probably will not work in this case. It won't be easy, but you will need to re-establish your trust through your actions.

A good name is more desirable than great riches: to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1

Monday, April 20, 2009

Preparing The Called

Do you feel ordinary? Do you feel less-talented, networked or less popular? Do you feel like God could never use someone like you?

Well, join the club. If you feel this way or have ever felt this way, you are like most people, even those who act like they have it "all together." Look at the characters in the Bible. Moses argued with God when he was called saying that he wasn't "good enough." David was the smallest of his family, yet he did mighty things. This is a recurring theme in the Bible.

In our service at church on Sunday, this video was shown. It is incredible and very encouraging. Please do yourself a favor and watch this video of Susan Boyle (shown above). Pay attention to the faces of the judges and those in the audience at the beginning and see the changes in their expression as she performs.

God can use you, regardless of your circumstances. I have heard it said that God does not call the prepared but He prepares the called!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Loving Sacrifice

Yesterday was Jackie Robinson Day around Major League Baseball. All players wore his number 42 (Robinson's number) to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of when he broke the color barrier in baseball. This morning on ESPN, they showed a special clip about the impact Jackie had on the game and on this country. They showed different ceremonies in different ballparks around the country. They truly honored him.

Yet, the thing that stuck out to me was an interview that was done with his wife at one of the games yesterday. She said something like this about the early years of her husband's career, "I would sit in the stands and I would hear all the hateful words being yelled at my husband. I would just sit taller in my seat, hopeful that I would be able to block the words from my husband's ears."

Is that cool or what? Those words hurt her and she knew they would hurt her husband. She wanted to take on the hurt so that her husband wouldn't have to. This is true loving sacrifice.

I have heard it said many times that "behind every great man is a great woman." That certainly appears to be the case with Jackie Robinson.

I can tell you that I have a great woman behind me. As we embark on a new and exciting journey in our lives with Truth At Work and some other things God is leading us to, Connie is truly coming alongside me, praying for me, supporting me, loving me and truly being a Proverbs 31 woman. I am so thankful for that!

The truth is, no one can do it alone. So who can you come alongside, pray for, love and support today?

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
Proverbs 31:10-11

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

100 - 0

I read the story a couple months ago about the girls basketball team from a Dallas Christian high school who beat their opponent 100 - 0. I immediately thought that the coach had run up the score and was deserving of being fired as he was.

Yesterday, I saw the above report on ESPN. My mind was changed immediately. I now feel totally different.

A couple of days ago I was talking with a friend of mine who was talking about the concept that "everyone gets a trophy" and how that is impacting our society. I agree with him. When I was growing up, we had to try out to make the baseball and basketball team in grade school. Today, everyone must play and must play in equal amounts.

I am all for people being allowed to try new things and this has provided opportunity for many to experience things they otherwise would not have. I simply wonder if this is right. Are we teaching these kids about life? Are we teaching them how to handle disappointment?

I believe that the national outcry against this coach is a product of this mentality. Society says that we should never allow another team to get beat so badly. Good sportsmanship would tell us the same thing.

The thing I like about the interview with this coach is that he admitted he would do things differently. He would have held the ball or asked to have the score turned off. I like his willingness to admit that he may not have handled things appropriately. However, I wonder what that would have done to the other team. Would that have robbed them of more of their dignity?

Just some random thoughts. What do you think?

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33



Monday, April 13, 2009

Doing the Impossible

I had an incredible Easter Sunday. I did almost nothing...all day. We went to church where we had some great time of worship and teaching. Then we went to brunch with my sister and her family and had a great time hearing about their recent vacation.

Then I spent almost six hours in front of the TV watching The Masters. I cannot remember the last time I was such a couch potato. It was great--the golf and the relaxation!

The tournament was very exciting all day long and ended with three players tied for the lead, Kenny Perry, Angel Cabrera and Chad Campbell. They went to the first sudden-death playoff hole which was number 18. Perry and Campbell hit perfect tee shots in the fairway while Cabrera sliced it right into the trees. He found himself with no shot whatsoever. He was directly behind a tree and needed an absolute miracle just to stay in the playoff.

He hacked away hoping for the best, but it was not to be. His ball hit a tree and deflected in a direction unknown to Cabrera. However, the ball bounced into the middle of the fairway just in front of the tee shots of Perry and Campbell. At that point, you just knew Cabrera's situation was impossible. He was lying around the same spot as his competitors but he had taken one more shot.

Well, the improbable happened. Cabrera took two shots to hole out while Perry took three and Campbell, four. That meant that Cabrera was still alive and that he and Perry would go onto the next hole, number 10. Cabrera ended up making par there which was good enough to give him the coveted green jacket.

I would have liked to have seen what odds a Las Vegas odds-maker would have placed on Cabrera winning this championship while he was up against a tree with no shot on the first playoff hole. It would have been somewhere around a gazillion to one. Yet, he won.

Perhaps, like Cabrera, you find yourself in an impossible situation right now. If so, this verse provides great hope:

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Failure

Perhaps my favorite sporting event to watch on TV is The Masters which begins today in Augusta, Georgia at Augusta National. I love everything about it, the lush green fairways and greens, the roar of the crowd throughout the course and the excitement on Sunday at Amen Corner. It also helps that The Masters happens to be played in early April, when the weather is getting nicer where I live.

Anyway, for some reason, I have always been a fan of Greg Norman. At one time he was the #1 ranked player in the world. Yet, several times at The Masters and also twice in Toledo at the PGA Championship at Inverness Club, he let leads slip away only to lose on the final hole. Included in those losses were improbable shots from his competitors which sealed his fate (Larry Mize's chip in during a playoff at Augusta and Bob Tway's hole-out from the bunker on hole #18 at Inverness).

Many called Norman a "choker." I do not like it when athletes are called names like this. I remember a plaque I had hanging on my wall when I was young that said, "Never criticize anyone else until you have walked a mile in their moccasins." Good advice.

In today's Toledo Blade, Norman had this to say about returning to Augusta, the site of so much pain in his life, "I think I learned more about myself by the failures here and the way I conducted myself." In other words, he was saying that much good came from much pain.

Very classy...and very instructional. We all can learn from what he said. Oftentimes it is during our darkest moments that we learn and benefit the most.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Compliment Guys

An article appeared in The Toledo Blade a few weeks ago highlighting the fact that two young men from Purdue University (one is from Toledo) spend time on campus giving compliments. Watch the video above to see them in action.

This is incredible on a couple of fronts. One, these two college students are actually thinking of others at that age. When I was in college, I was hardly ever thinking of anyone else other than me and I'm not sure if I knew anyone who did.

The second thing that struck me is that when watching this video, it seemed like some of their compliments were kind of shallow, such as "Hey I like your backpack." But even so, the people receiving these compliments actually seemed to be genuinely lifted up by them.

This showed me that people are starved for love and encouragement. So I encourage you to think about this and be on the lookout for someone you can compliment and encourage today. You never know...it may be the highlight of their day!

Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Dedication

So I'm sitting on the beach last week and I see a guy walking across the sand toward the ocean. He looks just like a guy I went to high school with. So I yell out his name. And wouldn't you know it...it is him. He know lives in Chicago and I haven't seen him or spoken to him (other than at a reunion) since 1981. And to prove that our God is a God of grace, that is a picture of the two of us, him wearing a Michigan shirt and me in an Ohio State shirt...and we're both smiling!

We talked briefly throughout the week but were not able to spend any significant time together (we are scheduled to get together the next time he comes into town). Mostly this was because Steve had his three young sons with him and he was enjoying time with them. However, a couple of times when I called, Steve was actually working out...on vacation!

That is dedication and perseverance. I work out when I am at home but I find it extremely difficult to do when I am on vacation. In fact, I don't even plan on it, other than walking on the beach (maybe that is why it is so difficult!). Anyway, I'm sure this was not easy for Steve either, yet he did it anyway.

Isn't this just like life? We are instructed in the book of Philippians to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."


Monday, April 06, 2009

True Joy

Regardless of what language the woman pictured above speaks, you can tell she is happy...she has joy. I experienced this firsthand during a cab ride this past week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (where I was suffering for Jesus!).

Antonio was our driver and he looked to be about 60 years old. He was taking us from Le Kliff, an incredible restaurant to our resort. He spoke almost no English. However, a friend of ours who was with us speaks pretty good Spanish so he was able to carry on a conversation with Antonio over our 45 minute ride.

Though I didn't have a clue about what they were discussing, it became evident very early on that Antonio was full of joy. In fact, it was spilling over he was so full. He smiled constantly and laughed easily. I began to wonder about Antonio's spiritual beliefs and thought that the only way someone could have this much joy is if they knew Jesus (the joy of the Lord is your strength - Nehemiah 8:10b).

After interpretation from our friend, we learned that Antonio lived in a small house with 12 other family members (extended family included). He worked six days a week from 5 PM to 5 AM and didn't get much sleep because of all the people in his home. However, he was thankful to God everyday for the incredible blessing He has given him. He was always looking for ways to give thanks to God.

I believe Antonio was a Christian, but only God knows for sure. But one thing was certain. Antonio's abundant joy was a direct result of his thankfulness in all circumstances.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18