Achieve Your Dream
September 21, 2008 at 8:03 pm (Inspirational, Pastoral)
An organization advertised for climbers interested in setting new records for climbing the highest point in each of the 50 United States within a 100-day period. A young man named Todd Huston saw the article and decided to go for it. Seeking the advice of expert climbers, he trained hard. The expedition was scheduled to begin in April 1994.
Everything was on track up until the last two months. The sponsoring organization called Todd, telling him funding for the expedition had fallen through. The project was canceled. Todd was devastated. His hopes and dreams, all of his effort and dedication, were wasted! He wrestled with the bad news. He had worked so hard; yet, the heart and determination he put into the project still existed. He made up his mind, “I will not quit.”
In the days that followed, Todd went to work organizing funding for a new expedition. He told himself and his supporters, “God willing, I’ll find a way to make this expedition happen.” His hard work and determination paid off. With the logistics of each climb in place, Todd called the project “Summit America.” On June 1, 1994, Todd’s first climb began on Mt. McKinley in Alaska. One by one the highest point in each state was conquered.
All went well until the 47th climb. Two days before Todd’s arrival, two climbers were killed on Mt. Hood, Oregon. Everyone advised Todd the climb was too dangerous. Filled with apprehension, Todd contacted an old high school friend and expert mountaineer, Fred Zalokar. Fred reassured Todd, saying, “You’ve come too far to quit now. Together, we’ll get up Mt. Hood safely.” After careful planning, Todd and Fred stood on the summit of Mt. Hood. On August 7, 1994, just 66 days after he started, Todd climbed the last peak in Hawaii. His expedition shattered the old climbing record by 35 days. Todd had triumphed over many obstacles, fulfilling his dream project, “Summit America.”
There is one thing you should know about Todd, one detail that made him a very unlikely mountain climber. Thirteen years before “Summit America,” Todd Huston had his right leg amputated after a boating accident. Because of his faith in God and a heart full of determination, Todd, a most unlikely “climber of mountains,” became a champion mountaineer.
Sometimes, the most unlikely ones are able, like Todd, to accomplish the most unlikely feats, achieve the most unlikely goals, or fulfill the most unlikely roles. No one can judge what’s in a person’s heart just by looking at them. Those who often appear unpromising are the very ones who go on to realize their dreams.
What is your dream? What kind of goals is God putting into your head and heart? What are you going to do for God? Rather than focusing on all the things that are holding you back, why not reach forward and upward and climb over the mountaintop? Remember, “I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need” (Phil. 4:13).
In Christ,
Barry
That’s My King!
September 20, 2008 at 6:03 pm (Inspirational)
Tags: Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of Lords
A Leader’s Signature — By Dan Rieland
September 19, 2008 at 3:03 pm (Pastoral)
Tags: christian leadership, Pastoral Helps
2008 is an election year and opinions are flying. The campaign between McCain and Obama rages on. Fear and hope simultaneously fill the media air waves. And of course Jay Leno is having a field day. There is no shortage of material for him to work with.
November 4th will have a huge, almost incalculable impact. It will determine who gets sworn in on January 20, 2009. The opinion polls, low for Bush, would regard him as all but completely lame duck in his presidency. Yet, he is still the president of the United States and the documents that gain his signature matter. A leader is never done until he or she is done.
I’ve been thinking about some of the “historic” documents of my life, what they meant and who signed them. Among others, my college degrees, seminary, and marriage license have captured my imagination. I’ve thought about my kid’s birth certificates and the doctor who signed my mom’s death certificate. What were these men and women thinking in that moment? Was it routine, were we all just a number? Or were they engaged with passion in that moment of our lives? Did they care?
I don’t normally sign many checks at the church, but on occasion, the CFO and other signers are out and I’m sort of the last line of defense. A couple weeks ago, one of those times occurred. While attempting to race out of the office, I was asked to sign a “few” checks. I sat down to a “stack” and began to sign. At first I was carefully scrutinizing the documentation for every check. Then about half way through I started just signing away. I caught myself several checks in and thought Ð these checks matter, every one of them. They represent trusting and faithful Christians who count on me and others as their leaders to spend the money wisely. I slowed back down and reviewed every one. My signature matters. Yours does too.
Every time you sign a check, a baptism certificate, a marriage license, a mortgage, or even an office copier contract, it matters.
Every time you sign a new employee contract it matters. You can literally make or break the next season of your church by who your hire. Your name carries your endorsement and you are forever responsible. When you sign your name to a ministerial student, or endorse a student for a college, it matters.
When you sign a letter it matters. That letter might change the course of someone’s life. We know how powerful notes and letters of encouragement are. It means so much to get a personal note these days that people often keep them for a long time. They hang on to the words of hope, encouragement and belief. Other letters endorse partnerships, confirm deals, and sometimes tell someone no.
As a leader, your signature matters. So much so that it’s worth a few more minutes for you to read and reflect on what your signature reveals. Note: The possibilities for illustrations to these six points are nearly limitless. I’ve written just a few to get you thinking about your signature and what it means.
Your endorsement
The first marriage I officiated was for a beautiful young couple named Bryan and Becky in San Diego, California. Praise God they are still married after all these years! They took their vows serious and so did I. When we signed off on their pre-marital counseling it meant something to all of us. With everything in me I believed that God would bless their marriage and they would remain faithful and in love with each other. Though ultimately they were responsible, they trusted me with my “blessing” that they were making good decisions and starting off on the right foot. My signature mattered.
Your vision
My vision for the development of my children includes college. Each semester I sign my name to a large financial commitment. I would never make this kind of commitment except that I believe it’s an essential part of the pathway to the young adults they are becoming. College is a core part of their future. We’re in this together. Where they go and what they study reveal their vision for life.
Most church leaders would never sign their names to, for example, a large building mortgage, except that they believe it’s essential to achieve the vision God has set before them. Our recent move into a new building at 12Stone clearly reveals our vision. The congregation, at great sacrifice and with generous hearts, set many of their wants aside to help further the vision to reach our county for Jesus!
Your priorities
All churches believe they need at least one more staff member! Most churches have a list of next staff hires they would love to have. Every week I talk to at least one pastor who asks me which staff member they should hire next. We talk about things like the vision, ministry needs, current finances, what could be covered by a volunteer, and what the greatest impact to the church would be. Ultimately a decision must be made. Should it be a Director of Technical Support or a second staff member for Children’s Ministry? Should it be a Communications Director or a Student Pastor over Middle School so you can divide High School and Middle School Ministries? The list goes on, and when it’s your church, the decision is never an easy one. When you make that decision and sign the employment documents, your priorities, at least for that season, have been revealed.
Your character
I mailed in my tax forms several months ago. I’m usually pretty motivated because I get a return. Lisa, my accountant lives in San Diego, so it takes a little more time but she does such a great job its worth it. Lisa will tell you that I ask her new questions every year. I’m not paranoid, I just want full integrity. I’m not interested in “creativity” when it comes to my taxes. My character is worth more to me than saving some money. Now if its legal, then I’m all for increasing those returns! Every year when I sign my name on the Federal and State forms, I sleep well.
Your obligations
Patti and I bought a Toyota Highlander a few years ago. Yup, we’re still paying for it. I know Dave Ramsey wouldn’t be happy with us for not paying cash, but we’ve been very responsible, and have never been late on a payment. I still remember signing the papers because in over twenty years of marriage it was our first new car! Whoa, that was a lot of money! We were flat out obligated to pay for it.
When you sign your name to join a church staff, or to senior pastor a church. You have made an obligation to that congregation. We all understand that “life happens” but when you sign on, you’re not signing on with intentions of leaving! You sign on with intentions of staying and making a difference. It’s not a stepping stone or a paycheck until something better comes along. It’s an agreement that people count on… once again, your signature matters.
Your love and concern
I spoke about notes and letters earlier, but this bears mention again. Notes of love, encouragement and concern never go out of style. When a church leader signs his or her name on a note it’s an indication of not just leadership but also relationship. Of course, it is relationship appropriate to the level of that relationship, but nonetheless, there is a commitment. This commitment may be to prayer or availability or investment or a number of things, but genuine love and concern are in the mix. That’s why personal notes are so powerful. People know you care when you write them. Your name carries huge value to the people you care about.
The idea behind this article is simple enough. I hope I have stirred within you – because you make a difference, and your leadership counts, that what you sign matters.
“This article is used by permission from Dr. Dan Reiland’s free monthly e-newsletter, “The Pastor’s Coach,” available at www.INJOY.com.”
Why Pray?
September 17, 2008 at 10:52 pm (Pastoral, Sermon Helps)
WHY PRAY?
If I told you that you were going to have the opportunity to talk with Jesus Christ for 15 minutes this afternoon and you could make one request of Him, what would your request be? If you could ask Him anything, would you ask for protection, a new job, or money? What would you ask for?
Once Jesus’ disciples had this opportunity – Luke 11:1 tells us that they came to Jesus one day and they had a request. “Lord, teach us to pray…” Why, of all the things they could have asked, did they ask this question? I think it was because they saw the results of prayer in Jesus’ life. They saw Him pray and they saw what happened. The disciples had watched Jesus preach the greatest sermons ever, they had been there while he performed miracles, but never once did they say, “Lord, teach us to preach” or “Lord, teach us to do miracles” or “Lord, teach us to raise the dead”. Instead they said, “Teach us how to pray.” From watching the example of Jesus, these men knew that prayer was the key to what they needed in life.
IN PRAYER…
1. I DECLARE MY DEPENDENCE ON GOD
When I pray, I am saying to God, “I need You.” For some reason, many of us have a problem admitting this. Perhaps it’s a part of the American mindset – we value independence, hard work, and making it on our own. And while that can be a good thing, if you learn anything when you come to Jesus Christ, it is that you don’t have the ability to make it spiritually on your own.
The reason why a lot of people don’t pray is because it costs – It costs honesty. “I admit I am inadequate – I am helpless – I need Your help in this situation.” As long as you think you’re self sufficient, prayer can have no meaning for you.
2. I GROW IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
When I first got out of high school I had a boss named Tom. After working together for some time, the relationship I had with my boss began to change. While he remained the boss, he began to confide in me on a different level. We would spend time together outside of work, and found we had a number of things in common. We moved from a boss/employee relationship, to a friend/friend relationship.
The more time you spend with God you will find that the nature of your relationship will change. You will not become more saved, more attractive, or get more stuff. But your relationship will change from that of master/servant, to master/friend.
3. I ASK AND RECEIVE FROM GOD
I once read a rather self-righteous sounding book about prayer where the author stated that we should never ask God for anything, or if we had to, it should be at a minimum. He believed that the more mature a Christian becomes, the less they will request from God, and the more they will spend their time just praising His name.
That’s about the biggest bunch of nonsense I’ve ever heard! God wants us to ask and receive from Him in prayer. In fact, the longer I’ve been a Christian, the more I ask Him for, because I have learned to believe in His ability to a much greater extent than ever before.
4. I BUILD THE KINGDOM FOR GOD
This is the most exciting thing about prayer – It’s an act of cooperation with God in the building of His kingdom on earth. Prayer is God’s program – Prayer is God’s modus operandi. Prayer is God saying, “I have chosen to limit Myself to what I accomplish on earth simply by limiting Myself to the faith of My children on the earth. What they believe Me for, I will do.” When we pray for other people, we are cooperating with God. We are teaming up with God to accomplish His work in the world.
In Christ,
Barry
P.S. Free free to use this as a sermon starter.
