Fluency

One of the elements I’ve added the past couple years to my own devotions is listening to the Bible.  I still read it–and I can’t read without a pencil in hand.  But I’m finding when I listen through the “voice” of someone else, there are elements in the tone that I have not picked up before.

You can purchase the Bible on CD or MP3 or simply subscribe to a free feed of the Bible reading plan of your choice.  Below are details for the ESV.

ESV RSS READING PLANS ARE NOW PODCASTS

October 29th, 2008

All the ESV Bible reading plans are now available as free podcasts. You don’t need to do anything special if you’re already subscribed: the MP3s will show up automatically for you.

To subscribe in iTunes, here’s what to do:

1. Go to the ESV Reading Plans page.
2. Right-click (Ctrl-click on a Mac) the “RSS” link of the feed you want.
3. Choose “Copy Link Location” or “Copy Shortcut.”
4. Start iTunes.
5. Choose Advanced > Subscribe to Podcast
6. Paste the URL from step three into the box.
7. Click OK.

We’re still working out a few kinks, but we hope you enjoy the podcasts. The audio is by David Cochran Heath and is available for purchase and for streaming at the ESV Online Study Bible.

Since economics and taxes are on the minds of many–including me–and political ads complicate the issue.

Check out the link below for a creative way to explain our tax laws.

http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/10/bar-stool-economics/

(Hopefully you can overlook the “drink” and see point.)

Leaders motivate–they inspire others to be better than themselves, to reach for something bigger than themselves.  Leaders are positive, they help people see potential not obstacles.

Leaders prioritize–they clarify purpose and set boundaries.

Leaders provide perspective–they see the big picture, they understand the consequences of decisions but are not limited by current negative circumstances.

Leaders give permission to others to cause change.  They give people permission to fail in the attempt to improve.

And significant Christian leaders pray.  They have leadership gifts, drive and motivations, but they are dependent on God.  They understand they are are limited, but God is not.  They intercede for others knowing that people are the ministry.

A week ago I attended a conference aimed at helping churches do a better job of helping people grow and impact their communities.  It was a very positive and productive conference, and while the conference was not primarily about leadership–some of my key “takeaways” were related to leadership.

As I listen to, interacted with and observed leaders from a variety of churches, I was reminded how important leaders are to the ministry of the church.

As Paul traveled on his missionary journeys, he mentored leaders. As Paul planted churches he appointed leaders.  And through involvement and letters he trained them.  He set very high standards for leaders.

But not only does the Bible establish high standards for leaders, it put requirements on followers.

A passage that is difficult for American, born and raised in a democratic society to accept is Hebrews 13:17.  “Obey” is not what we want to hear.

The author establishes that requirement based on a principle illustrated in the Old Testament and affirmed in the New Testament–divinely delegated leadership.

While God is the sovereign Ruler He has delegated leadership responsibilities within government, the church and home.  Three spheres in which He place high standards on the leaders and responsibilities on the followers.

Within the church leadership standards are high–”without reproach” and “blameless” being the overarching requirements.

Along with the scriptural instructions, I want to make three observations about good leaders.

Good leaders are authentic–they don’t pretend, they don’t seek to elevate themselves.  They are able to share their struggles.
Good leaders are purposeful–they are not manipulated by people, but understand God’s mandate on them.  Rather than fear man, they fear God.
Good leaders are passionate–they have within them a burning desire to honor God, build up people and cause change. This causes them to want to evaluate everything regularly to seek better ways to serve and honor God and His people.

This has challenged me to look at my own leadership and see where I need to improve.  Where have I allowed the fear of man, the need for success or the fear of failure to keep me from leading in the direction that God desires?

The past several months have shown us the fortunes and misfortunes of our country.  We see moral decay abounding, abundance of wealth for some, political distention, conflict over values, wars and conflicts, etc.

As I have been studying and teaching several of the Prophets, I am again struck at how relevant and current those 2000-3000 year old prophets really are.

Habakkuk is a classic example.

Habakkuk looks around him and sees rampant sin and evil and questions God’s lack of action (Habakkuk 1:1-4).  He asks the natural question–”Why?”

While his challenge of God may not be the right response–I am challenged by his concern or consternation over sin.  And I have to ask myself, “Do I morn over sin?” “Am I becoming comfortable with the sin around me?”  “Have I become comfortable, accepting of my on sin?”

God responds to Habakkuk 1:5-11, in essence–”look out, I’m going to act; I’m bringing a foreign power to judge Israel.”

Not the answer Habakkuk had anticipated–he challenges God’s methods based on his understanding of God’s character (Habakkuk 1:12-2:1).

Here is another challenge.  Habakkuk is correct theologically in His understanding of God’s character, but God’s implementation of His plan is beyond Habakkuk’s perspective.  Which makes me ask, “Do I understand God?”  “I’m I willing to allow God to be God?” God’s methods are not always what we expect and He is more concern with accomplishing long term change which results in His glory than He is in fulfilling my demands.  God sees and paints the big picture.

So while Habakkuk is not pleased with God’s methods, God explains that He is in control and must be trusted (Habakkuk 2:2-20).  This section reminds us that God is patient with sinners but that sin must be dealt with.  And while most of this section is a statement of judgment to come on the Babylonians, God makes two theological statements which help us understand His plan and purpose.

Habakkuk 2:14
God’s goal–His glory.
Habakkuk 2:20
God’s control–man’s submission.

Habakkuk gets the message and responds with a humility and worship (Habakkuk 3:1-19).  Highlighted in this pray psalm is Habakkuk’s self-description–”I fear what is coming, but I will trust” (Habakkuk 3:2, 16).  His plea “Don’t abandon us, in wrath remember mercy.”   And his declaration “I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:19).

The challenge?  When we naturally or instinctively ask why?  when we face of uncertainty, or in the face of lose, or in the face of sin–we must trust God.
We must trust His justice.
We must trust His timing.
We must trust His methods.
We must trust His purpose.

The answer to our “why?” is usually not a comforting “because. . . ” but “who!”  And while we really want answer, God is more interested in use seeing Him than giving us answers.

So the answer to “why” is who.  Who is God, what is His character, what are His promises, what is His primary purpose?

Will I trust Him?
Will I worship Him?!

I’m in the process of reading The Essential Church by Thom S. Rainer and Sam S. Rainer III.

The book deals with why Christian teens and young adults leave the church. While there are a number of factors, the factor that stood out most-strongly is parents.

Teens whose parents attend church and are authentic in their relationship with God–that is they do as they say, but also say as they do–are much less likely to leave the church.  Parents who have a vital relationship with God and positive relationship with church produce children who follow the Lord and remain connected to church.

So, to all of us who are parents–who pray that our children will remain faithful to the Lord–we play a huge role!

Pawning off the teaching and discipling of a child to the church without providing parental insight results in a greater chance of that child’s dropping out of church. The spread between dropouts and those that stay in the church is large when comparing students who received spiritual guidance from family members and those students who did not. Almost eight out of ten students who stayed in the church stated their parents or family members gave them direct spiritual guidance.  (p. 100)

Oh, the comfort-the inexpressible comfort of
feeling safe with a person.
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words-but pouring them
All right out-just as they are-
Chaff and grain together-
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them-
Keep what is worth keeping-And with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.

Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

Found this quote on the blog Ministry Best Practices

An unhealthy dependence on people for affirmation traps us in a horrible prison. The Bible calls this dependence “the fear of man”. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25). The apostle Paul speaks of the same trap as “trying to win the approval of men” (Galatians 1:10). Jesus called it loving “praise from men more than praise from God” (John 12:43). In more colloquial terms, my spiritual father, Jack Miller, referred to it as “being an approval suck.” Being controlled by the “fear of man” is to make people, rather than God, our delight-our great delight.

-Scotty Smith, Objects of His Affection, Coming Alive to the Compelling Love of God

Have you ever said to yourself,

I read too much?

Not me.  I’m usually saying,

I wish I had more time (and energy) to do more reading.

But when you do take time to read–what should you read?

I want to make you aware of a resource I used a number of years ago (actually at the turn of the century–I always wanted to say that!) and just came across again today.

Christian book summaries

While I don’t endorse only reading summaries, it is a good tool help determine which books you should read.

Happy perusing.