Matt’s 26th Birthday!

Today our youngest son, Matt, celebrated his 26th birthday.  We were so glad that he was able to be home so that we could celebrate his birthday with him.  Matt chose Cheeseburger in Paradise as his spot to have his birthday dinner.  A couple of Matt’s friends joined us for the dinner.  Our oldest son, Jon, and his wife, Michelle, flew in from Phoenix this evening and joined us for cake and ice cream following the dinner.  It was so meaningful to have everyone together!

My wife and I are so proud of our boys and how they have grown into fine young men.  We thank God every day that they are doing so well and are devoted followers of Jesus.  They are both leaders in their field and very gifted musicians.  Many people are blessed by their talents and the contributions that they are making with their lives. 

It has been a great day celebrating Matt’s birthday, and we all look forward to what 2009 will bring to our family!

Be Careful Not To Drift

I remember as a young boy our family used to go to the Indiana Dunes near Lake Michigan for our summer vacation.  It was always a great time for us as a family to get away and relax, and have fun together.  All of us kids enjoyed getting our swim suits on and jumping into the water to go swimming.  What fun! 

I still remember one of the first times I wandered way out into the water to swim that when I finally looked up to see if I could spot my parents on the beach, I could not see them anywhere!  I panicked!  Where were they?  As I combed the landscape along the beach front I finally spotted them almost 60 yards from where I was at.  I couldn’t believe it.  I didn’t think that I had moved an inch.  What I didn’t realize was that the water was constantly causing my body to drift in a direction away from the spot where I had entered the water. 

I learned from that experience that if I didn’t want to drift totally away from where I needed to be, I had to locate a fixed spot on the beach and then keep my gaze on that spot.  Then, if the water caused me to drift while swimming, I could locate that point on the beach and find my way back to where I needed to be.

Life is a lot like that swimming experience in Lake Michigan.  Without realizing it, we can find ourselves drifting away from the goals and dreams we once pursued; or, the values that we once embraced so dearly; or, the relationships that were once so meaningful.  Some have drifted from their purpose and mission in life.  Without even realizing it, they are going after meaningless, trivial things that are wasting their time and their energies.  This happens so slowly, over a period of time, and one is not even aware of it.  The pressure and pull of culture, our peers, and godless values can cause us to drift if we’re not careful!  

Have you lost your focus?  Are you drifting?  Determine that you will once again find that fixed point that will help you navigate your way through life and help y0u stay on course.  In my own life, Jesus Christ has become that fixed point!  He is the north star that keeps my life on track.  In those times when I find myself slowing drifting in the wrong direction, I renew my personal walk with Jesus, and discover His power to bring me back on track.  

“…let us run the race with patience….fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”    Hebrews 12:2  

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish all of my family and friends a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays!  I rejoice in the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  There is great joy in exchanging gifts with those whom we love, spending time together, singing songs of the holiday–but the real JOY of the season is thanking God for the greatest gift we could ever receive, Jesus Christ, His Son!  If you do not know Jesus in a personal way, I hope you’ll take time during the holiday season to let Christ come into your life and bring you His peace, forgiveness, and joy. 

We’ve had a great time together as family today sharing gifts, enjoying great meals, and watching holiday television programs.  I hope that you’ll take time to tell all of those close to you how much you love them!  And, be sure to remember those for whom this season is especially difficult.  The Good News of Christmas is that the child that was born in Bethlehem’s manger is Immanuel–”God with us”.   

May your Christmas celebrations bring God’s richest blessings and all good things to you!

Prepare Your Heart

Last Spring my son and I planted a new tree in our front yard.  I wanted to make sure that the tree would take root and get well established, so I spent a little extra time preparing the soil I placed around the tree.  With Christmas just a week away, I want to challenge each of us to take some time over the next several days and prepare our hearts for what God wants to do in our lives this Christmas.  There may be things we are to learn…experiences we are to enjoy…people to reconnect with…new goals that we are to stretch towards.  At this time of year we all become so busy with shopping, parties, running errands, going to school plays, etc., that we rarely take the time to quiet our hearts and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

As a Christian, I acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem’s manger as God’s gift to mankind.  Jesus came to show us love’s love and grace.  God came as a baby because He knew that man would not fear to draw close to Him.  What a miracle Christmas is!  The story does not end in Bethlehem, however.  That little boy grew up and died on a cross, so that all people could be forgiven and receive the wonderful gift of eternal life.  We know that this story is true because after Jesus died He rose again triumphantly from the grave declaring Himself Lord of all!

Don’t miss God’s gift to you this Christmas season.  Prepare your heart and your spirit to receive what God has for you!  Be sure to set aside some time to quiet yourself and reflect on the majesty and glory of this season…and the baby in the manger who came to transform lives!   

“O come let us adore Him!   O come let us adore Him!   O come let us adore Him!  Christ, the Lord!”

Dealing With Conflict

Leadership always has to deal with conflict.  It would be nice to think that a leader would never have to face this difficult issue, but the reality is, he does.  If you are going to be an effective leader you must learn to become comfortable dealing with controversy and conflict.  Conflict is part of the call–part of what comes with the territory in giving leadership.  There will be issues that arise with controversy over mission/or goals; conflict between personalities; “power struggles” between teams or departments; and acceptance issues between “older” members of the company, and “newer” members of the company.  

Leadership is learning how to resolve conflicts in a positive way, so that the organization can move forward with success and health.  Some people do not like conflict and shy away from it.  They become afraid of confronting serious situations, or people that are causing trouble.  These leaders try to “keep the peace at all costs”, only to find that tension and ill will is festering and growing beneath the surface.  If these issues are not resolved, things will come to a head and ”explode”, bringing hurt to many people and crippling the organization.  This is why I say, leaders must be learning how to become comfortable with controversy and conflict, because it will come.  How a leader handles conflict will have a great influence upon the kind of leadership he gives.  As leaders, we must avail ourselves of great resources that are available to us to help us with conflict resolution, so that we can become better leaders and handle difficult situations with greater confidence.

As a leader, I must always be aware that not everybody will like my ideas, or like my style of leadership, or like the direction that I’m going, or even like me!  That should not deter me from giving good leadership!  The true leader leads, not because people like him, or agree with all of his strategies, but because a vision/and a passion captivates his heart and compels him to fulfill a mission.  People will follow a leader, even when they disagree with his style, if they perceive that he genuinely cares for them, and is passionate about what he is doing.  Everyone wants to be successful.  Leaders are about helping people use their God-given gifts and talents, so that they can fulfill their purpose in life, and at the same time helping the organization succeed in achieving it’s mission.

If you are a leader don’t let bitterness or anger destroy your leadership.  If you’ve recently been involved in some kind of conflict–don’t let that “eat you up on the inside”.  Don’t let it “stress you out” to where you lose your focus and drive.  Don’t give up on your goals, don’t give up on your mission, and don’t give up on people.  Conflicts will come!  Learn to handle controversies and conflicts with humility and concern, seeking the best for all involved.  Lead with strength and confidence so that all will know exactly where you are going, and why.  Be passionate about what you do!  And above all, LOVE lavishly!

What Is Limiting You?

Do you feel limited in what you can do?  Are you frustrated that you are not getting along further in your career because of limitations that you face?  If you were to talk with many people today, many would tell you that they are just not achieving their goals, or moving ahead with their dreams, or succeeding in their careers because of all the limitations that they face.  They would tell you that “they just don’t have the looks”, or “they don’t have the personality or giftedness”, or “their mistakes from the past has limited them”, or “they have an intolerable boss”, or “their team just doesn’t get things done”, or “they have too much responsibility placed upon them”, or on and on”…..

I know all of us have struggled with these kinds of feelings before, and many others along with them.  How do we deal with our limitations?  Do we allow them to get us down?  Do we sulk and stew?  Do we grow bitter?  Do we just throw up our hands and quit?  No!  We learn to trust in the God who made us and has a purpose for our lives.  Yes, we all face limitations.  None of us are perfect.  But God has designed each of our lives in such a way that we have something to contribute.   We must remind ourselves every day that, “God loves us!  God values us!  God believes in us!  And, God will help us to work through all the limitations, hardships, disappointments, and struggles that we face!”  He wants us to walk by faith and put all things in His hands!

I am reminded of a young man by the name of Tony Melendez.  Tony was born with no hands and a club foot.  He had no hands to clap with, shake a hand with, play with, or work with.  But Tony was determined!  He decided early on in life not to sit down and quit–but to get up, be bold, and make no excuses in life.  He worked hard in developing the talents and gifts that God gave him.  As a boy, Tony had a great desire to play a guitar, even though he had no fingers to hold one with.  However, he did not let that dampen his deisre to play!  He taught himself how to play the guitar with his feet!  Now, he travels all over the country sharing his musical talent with others, and sharing the hope that he found in Jesus Christ!  Tony never saw himself as being handicapped.  He realized that he had limitations, but did not allow those limitations to snuff out his personality or creativity.

God made you who you are!  God allows limitations to come into our lives so that our personalities and talents can be developed in other ways.  God was NOT having a bad day when He made you!  God is not unaware of the struggles you face, or the limitations that press against your life.  He wants you to trust Him, so that He can take those things that seem like liabilities to you, and turn them into assets!  He does not want you becoming negative about your looks, or your personality, or your failures, or your disadvantages, or where you’re presently at, or your future.  He wants you to walk by faith, and trust Him completely!  He has given you all that you need to succeed in life!

What is limiting you today?  How can you take what God has given you and make the MOST of it?

Creating Environments

Leaders need to recognize the importance of creating environments where potential leaders can be developed!  Many organizations fail to take into account the importance of their environment in enlisting and developing new leaders.  Leaders are visionary persons who realize that without environments that allow for creativity, risk-taking, mentoring, and skill-development, their ability to build and keep future leaders will be greatly limited.  This means that leaders must become ‘environmental change agents’ who work diligently to make sure that they are creating environments within their organization that allows for the building of leaders.

Let me illustrate.  What if it’s the middle of December, and I have a beautiful poinsettia plant sitting in our family room, and I feel it will be more beautiful if I take it outside and set it on our front porch.  Well, it may look beautiful there for a short while.  Eventually, it will begin to wither and die because it is not made for the cold!  The poinsettia is a tropical plant.  Many organizations have environments that are cold, when they need to be tropical!  Leaders cannot lead, and future leaders cannot be raised up in environments that stifle creativity, innovation, risk-taking, and relevancy to the mission.  Organizations that operate out of fear, caution, and overly strict rules and regulations will constantly strain to reach their goals and objectives.

It is important as Leaders that we create environments where our organization can grow, thrive, and flourish.  It is important that we create environments where people are valued, accepted, encouraged, and mentored.  We must make sure that there are ’safe’ environments where people are allowed to fail and risk and learn from those experiences. 

Are you a Leader?  Do you realize how important your influence is?  Do you realize how important environments are to your success, and the success of building future leaders?  Celebrate the fact that you are a change agent!  Celebrate the fact that you can impact people’s lives for good.  Celebrate, with humility, the fact that your leadership can make an eternal difference!