Dedication in Reverse

I posted this a while ago, and it was mentioned to me recently in an e-mail, so I thought I'd post it again (with a few minor additions).  Originally, this was written in August, 2009 before my parents went to China on a two-year missions term.

One of the hardest things that I've had to do in recent memory I did just this week. I loaned my parents back to God for a while.

For about 16 months, I've known that they had the opportunity to move to China on a teaching visa for two years. Before they began planning the details of the trip, they actually came to my wife and I and asked us what we thought about the idea.

Among the Humans

As I was reading in Daniel last week, I tried to pick one verse from each chapter that stood out to me in one way or another.  Since Daniel is a pretty familiar book to me, I tried really hard (and perhaps too hard!) to not pick the first thing that inspired me.  I wanted to force myself to dig something out of the Word where otherwise I might not have.


As I got to Daniel chapter 2, my process was challenged.  I read through the chapter a few times, and finally, by the evening prayer service we were having (last week was our week of prayer and fasting), something hit me in verse 11.

"What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men."

Some background here: Daniel 2 tells the story of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream.  He didn't understand it, and so he sought his sorcerers, magicians and enchanters to interpret the dream.  However, he not only wanted them to interpret the dream, but he wanted them to tell him what the dream was in the first place!  Verse 11 (above) was their response.


As I read it, I thought of how grateful I am to serve a God who is among humans.  He is a God who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews); a God who sticks closer than a brother (Psalms); a God who has told us not to fear for He will be with us wherever we go (Joshua).


So be encouraged today, friend.  There is a God who is not distant from us, who does live among us, and who is with us in, and through, everything!

Velcro: Concepts That Make Leaders Stick

One of the things that I enjoy doing, though I must admit I have much room to improve in, is equipping people to be leaders.  In e-Mails that I send out to the Youth Staff volunteers who serve students with me, I've created a section entitled, "Velcro".  In it I share leadership principles that "make leaders stick" (pun intended!); princples that I'm learning, or have been reminded of through blogs I read, other Pastors I talk to, etc.  Once and a while, I plan on sharing some of these same thoughts here, because I believe that, no matter what we do, these principles are applicable to all of us.


John Maxwell defines leadership as "Influence.  Nothing more, nothing less."  That's a pretty succinct definition. At the same time, some people ask, "How do I gain influence with others?"  It's simple: influence is commanded, not demanded; it's earned, not taken.  Let me explain.


As a Youth Pastor, I have the privilege of reaching out to students and the Youth Staff members on a regular basis.  The main purpose that I seek to gain their trust and influence is to that I can help guide them and influence them for eternity's sake.  They then, in turn, can influence others for eternity's sake.


This is how I gain influence in their lives: consistency, dependability, genuine care and concern and support - in both good times and bad.  You see, it can be downright intimidating thinking about how you might gain influence in someone's life.  But, when you strip it down to it's barest essentials, it's simply earning someone's trust.  


An easy way to determine how you might gain someone's trust (and earn influence in their lives) is to ask yourself this question:  "Who do I allow to have influence in my life, and why do I allow it?"  Often times, answering that one simple question is enough to let us see how we can become a trustworthy and influential person in others' lives, for the sake of eternity.

Life's Noise

Most of the blogging that I do is not done with the any other intention than sharing what I'm either going through at that moment, or have just gone through.  Once and a while, I find myself in one of those places where life's noise - the circumstances, people, events we can't control - seem to drown out the voice and presence of God.


Today was one of those days.  For various reasons, I've found myself striving for the right solution to a problem that had to be solved quickly.  As the day wore on, and I sought council of others wiser and more creative than I, I became more and more frustrated with myself and my situation.  At one point, I even made the comment to my wife that, "it's in these types of situations I can't make a right choice".  I even begin at times, in stressful situations like this where a choice needs to be made quickly, and executed flawlessly, to wish upon myself an easier place in life.  But, in the words of former President John F. Kennedy, we ought not pray for easier lives, but to be stronger men.


So, as always, I find that God challenges my thinking and convicts my actions.  I suppose, if there's no other purpose in this post, it's to remind you, as I'm convicted today, in difficult and stressful or trying situations, to listen for the voice of God rather than trying to seek out the answer for yourself.  It's a similar concept to what Elijah experienced in I Kings 19:

(Elijah) replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Elijah was faced with a situation where he felt his very life was in danger.  What was God's instruction to him?  His presence and voice.  As the Lord passed by, He wasn't in the commonly experienced noises of life: the ever-noticeable wind, earthquake or fire.  He was in the still, small voice.  Elijah's response?  He humbly entered the presence of God, undoubtedly listening to His voice.  Ought not we all, in times of trial and stress, enter the presence of God, ignoring the noise of every day life around us, and listen to His voice?

Fear of Midian

I just finished reading an e-votional that I get in my inbox just about every morning.  Typically, I read through it and find something to ponder for a while.  But, every once and a while, something hits me right between the eyes.  This morning was one of those mornings.


Judges 7 tells us the story of a man named Gideon and his army.  It starts off by saying that God spoke to Gideon, telling him that the his army was too big to deliver the Midianites into their hands.  Mind you, the Midianite army was in excess of 100,000 soliders.  So God led Gideon through a process whereby, in time, the army was pared down to 300 soldiers.  300.  To fight more than 100,000.


What did Gideon do in this situation?  He remained committed to the Lord, despite his circumstances.  He knew that God had spoken and called him to something, and he trusted that, no matter how bleak the situation may have seemed, God would see him through.  So what happened?


The Bible tells us that the Lord delivered the Midianites into the hands of Gideon and his army.  "When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath." (Judges 7:22)


So what are the "Midianites" in your life this week?  It could be your job situation, your finances, your marriage, you children - literally anything.  Be encouraged that, no matter how bleak your situation, the battle is God's - not yours.  Don't allow the fear of how things might appear to you overcome your faith in the one who is above and beyond, far greater than all your "Midianites".