John Maxwell's most recent book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, teaches about the Law of Consistency. Within that specific section of his fabulous book, he talks about The Law of 5. He poses a question, and I will pose that same question to you, because it will help us focus on our specific areas of growth.
Every day if you take an axe and strike a tree five times each time, what will eventually happen? The answer is obvious. Our areas for growth are the same way. If we spend a little time, every day, focusing on those key areas of growth, we'll grow. That's taking growth and making it intentional, thereby becoming the man/woman God designed us to become.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Patience. An Uncommon Virtue Today.
Microwaves. Self-checkouts. 24-hour convenient stores. Credit cards. "Get Rich Quick" schemes. New Year's resolution diets/workouts.
All of these I listed above have many things in common, but at the top of it all is a lack of patience. In our culture, we want "stuff" now... not to mention it has to be extremely fast or else we'll get irritated. At least, many times, that describes me. In fact, the lack of patience results in an irrational decision-making process. I skip all of the steps in between to get to what I want. Isn't life about making sound decisions? The Bible says, God have us Power, Love, and a Sound Mind... so then why is it that we often make decisions that don't reflect the love of Jesus and the sound mind he gave us? It's a lack of patience. I don't mean patience in the sense of, "I'm waiting on the LORD," and you NEVER do anything or act on His Word. I'm referring to patience when it comes to making hasty decisions without counting the cost and facing tough times.
A powerful quote says, "Patience knows that one definition of maturity is learning to delay pleasure." Yes, delaying pleasure can be extremely difficult in a culture we live in today. Absolutely. However, that's the perfect opportunity to work our discipline and diligence in the face of adverse situations. I love the analogy of gold, and it's process. Consider you and I to be gold, and if we have patience, our patience is golden. Gold is formed from heat, pure gold that is. It doesn't start off pure though. Isn't that just like us? We go through life, or as I've heard before - life happens. Impurities settle in, we make unpleasing decisions, we sin, we live unholy, etc. Well, to purify gold, the goldsmith stokes the fire to bring the gold to a boil. And as the gold boils, the impurities rise to the top. In 2013, God wants us to know that we're fire proof, but we have to go through the HEAT! The goldsmith skims off the junk, or the mess as we would call it in our lives, until he can see himself - his reflection. I believe that's what God does. When we have patience, and when we obediently submit to His perfect will, we go through the fire. Doesn't that sound familiar? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God will sift the junk in our lives until He can look at us and see His reflection. That requires patience. Do people see Jesus in you? Has your patience dwindled in life? This is an opportunity for you and I to build up our patience - but remember, that means we sometimes have to face some tough and challenging times. Like Paul's attitude when he said, "it's but a light affliction," I'm reminded by the LORD that He's made us fireproof! I'm going through the fire! Thank you Jesus!
All of these I listed above have many things in common, but at the top of it all is a lack of patience. In our culture, we want "stuff" now... not to mention it has to be extremely fast or else we'll get irritated. At least, many times, that describes me. In fact, the lack of patience results in an irrational decision-making process. I skip all of the steps in between to get to what I want. Isn't life about making sound decisions? The Bible says, God have us Power, Love, and a Sound Mind... so then why is it that we often make decisions that don't reflect the love of Jesus and the sound mind he gave us? It's a lack of patience. I don't mean patience in the sense of, "I'm waiting on the LORD," and you NEVER do anything or act on His Word. I'm referring to patience when it comes to making hasty decisions without counting the cost and facing tough times.
A powerful quote says, "Patience knows that one definition of maturity is learning to delay pleasure." Yes, delaying pleasure can be extremely difficult in a culture we live in today. Absolutely. However, that's the perfect opportunity to work our discipline and diligence in the face of adverse situations. I love the analogy of gold, and it's process. Consider you and I to be gold, and if we have patience, our patience is golden. Gold is formed from heat, pure gold that is. It doesn't start off pure though. Isn't that just like us? We go through life, or as I've heard before - life happens. Impurities settle in, we make unpleasing decisions, we sin, we live unholy, etc. Well, to purify gold, the goldsmith stokes the fire to bring the gold to a boil. And as the gold boils, the impurities rise to the top. In 2013, God wants us to know that we're fire proof, but we have to go through the HEAT! The goldsmith skims off the junk, or the mess as we would call it in our lives, until he can see himself - his reflection. I believe that's what God does. When we have patience, and when we obediently submit to His perfect will, we go through the fire. Doesn't that sound familiar? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God will sift the junk in our lives until He can look at us and see His reflection. That requires patience. Do people see Jesus in you? Has your patience dwindled in life? This is an opportunity for you and I to build up our patience - but remember, that means we sometimes have to face some tough and challenging times. Like Paul's attitude when he said, "it's but a light affliction," I'm reminded by the LORD that He's made us fireproof! I'm going through the fire! Thank you Jesus!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Standards
What are standards? What are norms? What are high expectations? I believe the answer to these questions are all focused on one theme - intentionally building culture. Think about who has standards in the world... athletes in sports, the government, higher education, and of course, the church. Not everyone is going to like standards. Not everyone is going to accept or even buy into the standards, but that's what makes a culture standout with it's own unique proposition. The question is, will you stand by those standards? The options are you either buy into them or you don't join the movement nor embrace the culture. Either is fine as long as it's aligned to the will of God for you. Before I continue, think about this: what must first change in order to realize desired results; in other words, who must change before there is any growth to occur? The answer is simple; it's YOU. We must first change ourselves, within ourselves, in order to experience the victories we desire in life. If we rub up against a standard the "wrong way," is it because it's not part of God's will for our lives or is it because we are experiencing the need, and need I remind you of the inevitable need, for change? We have to know the answer to that question. Let me give you an example.
A standard at my previous church was to sit out 90 days if we staggered in our walk with God and were living an unholy life (with the assumption of membership and serving in any ministry of the church). I don't want to expound on what it means to be unholy, so let's assume unholy is not living according to the Word of God, consider the issue. This standards really sets a tone with the churches' culture. It sets a high expectation of serving in the ministry correlated with being a witness for all who come to the church, especially for the unbelievers and/or newcomers. It's not meant to be punitive, although with the wrong attitude it can surely be taken that way. The second part of it is the development of self. That part of the standard says that if you're a part of the culture at this church then you're doing whatever it takes to be the best that God has called you to be. In turn, if someone has to sit out 90 days before serving again, the purpose is to rebuild the greatest need - to be right with God! It's all about relationship. The mindset is if you're right with Jesus and in His perfect will, then anything you put your hands to will prosper including the culture of the church according to its standards.
Therefore, develop a good attitude about standards and set standards for your family, for you team, for your classroom, for your relationships. It's whole intention is to build a culture that promotes self growth and most importantly fosters an upright relationship with Jesus and the calling He has on your life!
A standard at my previous church was to sit out 90 days if we staggered in our walk with God and were living an unholy life (with the assumption of membership and serving in any ministry of the church). I don't want to expound on what it means to be unholy, so let's assume unholy is not living according to the Word of God, consider the issue. This standards really sets a tone with the churches' culture. It sets a high expectation of serving in the ministry correlated with being a witness for all who come to the church, especially for the unbelievers and/or newcomers. It's not meant to be punitive, although with the wrong attitude it can surely be taken that way. The second part of it is the development of self. That part of the standard says that if you're a part of the culture at this church then you're doing whatever it takes to be the best that God has called you to be. In turn, if someone has to sit out 90 days before serving again, the purpose is to rebuild the greatest need - to be right with God! It's all about relationship. The mindset is if you're right with Jesus and in His perfect will, then anything you put your hands to will prosper including the culture of the church according to its standards.
Therefore, develop a good attitude about standards and set standards for your family, for you team, for your classroom, for your relationships. It's whole intention is to build a culture that promotes self growth and most importantly fosters an upright relationship with Jesus and the calling He has on your life!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Be Reflective!
Reflection is challenging, but an essential
component of growth. In fact, it is
absolutely critical that it becomes a part of who we are as professionals,
especially in the realm of education.
Albert Einstein so eloquently puts it, “Intellectual growth should
commence at birth and cease only at death.”
And I might add this, growth is intentional and it’s reflective through practice with a disposition of this: I have a passion to get better, not for my
sake, but for the sake of the lives of those at stake! In other words, it’s not necessarily about us,
but rather it’s about those whom we serve. Who are those whom you serve? Reflection on our own effectiveness as a mentor
is not just a thought, it must be a habit.
What's In Us?
Sacrificial lamb. In John 1, John just finished explaining who will come after him and his ministry. He tells us plainly that He who comes after him will baptize us with the Holy Ghost. The very next day, John recognizes Him! He says in verse 36, "...looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, behold the Lamb of God!" Jesus's symbolism is shown in the Old Testament when the Israelites were instructed to sacrifice and kill their most prized and precious lamb (an atonement) right before Moses led them out of Egypt. And with the blood of that lamb, Moses's instructions were to have them smear it along the door in order to save them from death. God was delivering the Israelites through the ministry of deliverance in Moses. Not only were they to smear the blood along the door, but they were given order to consume the entire lamb... a lamb of the highest quality, a lamb without major defects, a lamb that was their most expensive. How many of you know of a greater Lamb?! Praise God! That's a good place to say, amen. Next, to consume means to do away with something completely; to use up. Consume, in essence, is amalgamated into this: taking in the whole of something. Well, that's exactly what God has called us to do. To consume Him. Every bit of Him. Consume His Spirit, His Word, His Will. Consuming is not left up to subjection, it's clear to us. After something is consumed, what's left? Absolutely nothing, otherwise it hasn't been consumed. The other key is the "in" part. Romans 8:10, "...And if Christ be in you..." Romans 8:11, "...the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you..." Jesus is very much alive and He requires to be living in us. Therefore, we must consume Him.
How does this relate to teaching? Well, ask yourself, what's in me? I know I do, daily. What am I consuming? Simply stated, what's in me will come out of me. Think about eating habits. Don't let your mind go there with the previous sentences... After I consume a few cookies, 2..5..10... I recognize this unhealthy act and immediately feel its effects. Then I try to cover it up by eating "perfect" the remainder of the day or week. That's not what God has called us to do. It's the same thing in our lives. I can't sin and then make it up by consuming the righteousness and the goodness of God. It's not an act of doing more obedience than disobedience on a weighing scale. Sin draws us away from God. It's separation from God. God tells us to walk not of the flesh but of the Spirit. That's not easy; however, Paul reminds us that we're really at our strongest point when we're weak. Why? Because we submit our will to God's will. It's God who is all-powerful. God equips us, fills us, and provides for us. We need to be obedient vehicles of His Word. God gives us His power. He enables the disabled.
So, what are you consuming? Is it aligned with the Word of God? God says He is greater in us than he that is in the world, but if we're not consuming Him, how can He really be in us? What is in you will come out of you. Consume the blameless, spotless, blemish-free Lamb of God - Jesus. When you're in front of students, what's coming out of you? Is it pride, envy, slander, etc? Or is it love, joy, and the other fruits of the Spirit?
How does this relate to teaching? Well, ask yourself, what's in me? I know I do, daily. What am I consuming? Simply stated, what's in me will come out of me. Think about eating habits. Don't let your mind go there with the previous sentences... After I consume a few cookies, 2..5..10... I recognize this unhealthy act and immediately feel its effects. Then I try to cover it up by eating "perfect" the remainder of the day or week. That's not what God has called us to do. It's the same thing in our lives. I can't sin and then make it up by consuming the righteousness and the goodness of God. It's not an act of doing more obedience than disobedience on a weighing scale. Sin draws us away from God. It's separation from God. God tells us to walk not of the flesh but of the Spirit. That's not easy; however, Paul reminds us that we're really at our strongest point when we're weak. Why? Because we submit our will to God's will. It's God who is all-powerful. God equips us, fills us, and provides for us. We need to be obedient vehicles of His Word. God gives us His power. He enables the disabled.
So, what are you consuming? Is it aligned with the Word of God? God says He is greater in us than he that is in the world, but if we're not consuming Him, how can He really be in us? What is in you will come out of you. Consume the blameless, spotless, blemish-free Lamb of God - Jesus. When you're in front of students, what's coming out of you? Is it pride, envy, slander, etc? Or is it love, joy, and the other fruits of the Spirit?
Thursday, September 6, 2012
My God.
"There's nothing My God cannot do." Let's be real honest with ourselves, do we believe that? Without any sliver of doubt, without any reservation, without any hesitation - do we believe that?
I think first we need to address the pronoun in this statement. It's a bold statement, no doubt about it, but it's a statement that takes complete ownership. My is a possessive pronoun that signifies something we possess. In fact, Webster's Dictionary defines my: "of or relating to me or myself especially as possessor, agent, object of an action, or familiar person." So, by saying my what we're actually saying is that God, to us, is Someone we possess (inside), Someone who is familiar (regular conversations with), and Someone we can relate to (He lived like we live). Before delving into this profound pronoun, my, and the connection to who God is and if we really believe this statement that we so freely use, it's denoting that we focus on the latter part first.
"... God cannot do." My pastor always asked the same question when the bible mentioned, everything or everyone. Pastor would ask, "what's left after everything or everyone?" Per usual, our response in unison was, "nothing." Well, in the same sense what is implied if there's nothing God cannot do? It's simple. God can do all things (Matthew 19:26). All things, let it resonate. God can heal you. God can make you whole. God can bless you in your finances, in your marriage, in your relationships, and He can give you favor. He is a God who gives exceedingly abundantly above which we are able to ask or think to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3). I'm partial though. The truth of the matter is this: we don't seek, or should I say, we shouldn't seek God for what we can get from Him. Rather, we should seek God for who He IS (Matthew 6:33).
By the way, who is He? Now, let's go back to the dissection of my. To preface, we know Philippians 4:13 all too well. However, let's search for a deeper revelation. God show us something deep here. The New King James Version says it this way, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." There's that absolute word again! All! Pause. God can do all things, but now why does it say I... isn't I human? And who is Christ? He's the Messiah! He's Jesus! Tye Tribbett's new releasing album is entitled, "Greater Than." So, 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us, "... know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own." And, 1 John 4 tells us that "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." On our own humanly accord, we cannot do all things. But if we have God in us, than we can do all things. How? Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. Not by any works of our own, besides seeking the kingdom of God. Here's the connection, our God who can do all things, who lives in us, called the Holy Ghost, is JESUS. By the Faith in Jesus, and with the power of His Spirit living in us, we can do all things! Connect it back up to my now. My is Someone we possess (inside - Holy Ghost), Someone who is familiar (regular conversations with - we pray to One God - Jesus), and Someone we can relate to (He lived like we live - Jesus on earth). This Someone, singular, is whom Isaiah 9:6 informs us of this with prophetic words. Here's Isaiah: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isn't it amazing that the name above all names, where every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, is Jesus Christ? Absolutely.
Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray that if we truly believe you live in us and gave us your power than surely we can do all things through you, LORD. God, than surely we can believe and say, "there's nothing my God cannot do." In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
I think first we need to address the pronoun in this statement. It's a bold statement, no doubt about it, but it's a statement that takes complete ownership. My is a possessive pronoun that signifies something we possess. In fact, Webster's Dictionary defines my: "of or relating to me or myself especially as possessor, agent, object of an action, or familiar person." So, by saying my what we're actually saying is that God, to us, is Someone we possess (inside), Someone who is familiar (regular conversations with), and Someone we can relate to (He lived like we live). Before delving into this profound pronoun, my, and the connection to who God is and if we really believe this statement that we so freely use, it's denoting that we focus on the latter part first.
"... God cannot do." My pastor always asked the same question when the bible mentioned, everything or everyone. Pastor would ask, "what's left after everything or everyone?" Per usual, our response in unison was, "nothing." Well, in the same sense what is implied if there's nothing God cannot do? It's simple. God can do all things (Matthew 19:26). All things, let it resonate. God can heal you. God can make you whole. God can bless you in your finances, in your marriage, in your relationships, and He can give you favor. He is a God who gives exceedingly abundantly above which we are able to ask or think to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3). I'm partial though. The truth of the matter is this: we don't seek, or should I say, we shouldn't seek God for what we can get from Him. Rather, we should seek God for who He IS (Matthew 6:33).
By the way, who is He? Now, let's go back to the dissection of my. To preface, we know Philippians 4:13 all too well. However, let's search for a deeper revelation. God show us something deep here. The New King James Version says it this way, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." There's that absolute word again! All! Pause. God can do all things, but now why does it say I... isn't I human? And who is Christ? He's the Messiah! He's Jesus! Tye Tribbett's new releasing album is entitled, "Greater Than." So, 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us, "... know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own." And, 1 John 4 tells us that "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." On our own humanly accord, we cannot do all things. But if we have God in us, than we can do all things. How? Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. Not by any works of our own, besides seeking the kingdom of God. Here's the connection, our God who can do all things, who lives in us, called the Holy Ghost, is JESUS. By the Faith in Jesus, and with the power of His Spirit living in us, we can do all things! Connect it back up to my now. My is Someone we possess (inside - Holy Ghost), Someone who is familiar (regular conversations with - we pray to One God - Jesus), and Someone we can relate to (He lived like we live - Jesus on earth). This Someone, singular, is whom Isaiah 9:6 informs us of this with prophetic words. Here's Isaiah: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isn't it amazing that the name above all names, where every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, is Jesus Christ? Absolutely.
Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray that if we truly believe you live in us and gave us your power than surely we can do all things through you, LORD. God, than surely we can believe and say, "there's nothing my God cannot do." In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Check-in
The sky is dark-gray and the head lights of oncoming vehicles inform me that my students aren't up yet. During the 40-minute drive just before the crack of dawn, I turn on my windshield wipers on to clear the moisture built up from the prior evening. It brings me back to my vision and the symbolism speaks volumes of how I must refocus and make my vision plain and clear and keep it at the forefront of my mind DAILY. After singing worship music and praying the in Spirit behind the wheel, I enter into the world of HOPE High School, my new home... a place that has a real sense of urgency in the achievement race and a setting that truly demonstrates a team and a family. With a smile on my face, as I stand in front of my 29 9th graders, I just thank God for the position He has placed me in. Let the journey begin!
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