 | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | H.B. London Ministries | | | ─ A Heart for Pastors ─ |
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My good friend, Chris Fabry, served as my co-host for many years on our Pastor to Pastor audio series, produced by Focus on the Family when I was there ministering to pastors and their families. Chris can now be heard on the Moody Radio network as the host of his own daily program, Chris Fabry Live! And Chris is also a proficient, award-winning author. In his first novel for adults, Dogwood, the father of one of the main characters tells his son how to develop a good heart.
“You work on it [developing your heart] like anything else. It takes time and effort. Your heart is like an unplowed field. Even if you have good soil, you have to work it up and see what’s best to plant there. If you train your heart to see things, to lean toward others, to care about people rather than things, to always take advantage of an opportunity to reach out to strangers and sacrifice for your friends, you’ll wind up with a good heart.” (Dogwood, © 2008 by Chris Fabry)
James gives us some guidance related to issues of the heart: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Also, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:7-8).
Our defense from things that damage the influence of the church and our extended ministries includes: intimacy with God, a loving family, right relationships (colleagues, constituency, and leadership), adequate rest, honest accountability, a meaningful ministry, an attitude of joy and thanksgiving, constant prayer, and a vigilant spirit. We just can’t take chances. Guard your heart, my colleague!
“Righteousness guards the man if integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner” (Proverbs 13:6).
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Social networks, radio stations, television programs, newspapers, and the Internet have been abuzz this weekend with the sad news that Whitney Houston, one of America’s greatest singers of all time, has died at the age of 48. In Colorado Springs last week, many mourned the sudden death of a 57-year-old local sportscaster and disc jockey who had made an impact here for some 30 years. We’ve all been surprised, at one time or another, to learn of the untimely passing of some legendary pastor or evangelist. You probably have someone in your congregation — well known or not — for whom you recently performed a funeral or memorial service. Life is fragile, and none of us knows how much time we have left.
Entertainment reporters today are wondering whether Whitney Houston will be most remembered for her love of life, that amazing voice, and the songs she has left with us or for the downward spiral her life took in its later years — for her successes or her tragedies?
Whenever one of our colleagues leaves the ministry or is called home by the Lord, I wonder once again about my/our/your legacy. We work so diligently only to see it all eventually end. Does that make it all in vain, as Solomon postulated? I don’t think so. The conclusion I have drawn is that we build our legacies one day at a time. Therefore, we need to make the most of each day God allows us because no one really knows what tomorrow will bring.
What will they say about you when you are gone? Oh, your name will appear on the long list of pastors who have served your church. Your picture might be placed in the foyer or your name given to a room, but for what will you be most remembered? I think it depends on what you do today, then tomorrow. In the eternal records, your legacy will be who you have faithfully been and what you have continuously done to glorify the Lord.
That’s why it bothers me to hear those in the clergy, especially local pastors, lament about their present situations. They live in the world of “if only” and “why not me?” They really need to be careful because their discouragement may become their legacy. And they need to begin reshaping their reputations now. If they were gone tomorrow, there would be another filling those pulpits on Sunday. None of us is indispensable. We can all be replaced.
But we will all be remembered, too. What reputation do you seek? Will you be known as one who always represented God well, whether or not it was in the spotlight? Most importantly, what will your legacy be with Him? What will He say to you when you meet Him face to face? I hope it will be, “Well done, faithful servant.”
So, what do you say? Let’s do the best we can today! Let’s determine not to coast or simply go through the motions. Have a plan for each day. Do things that matter and give you deep satisfaction. Value people just as the Lord does, and help them feel good about themselves. Be thankful for your family. And, when the day is done, give God the glory. We will all be remembered for something, so let’s be and do something meaningful today!
“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm” (Psalm 37:23).
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Those of you who know me are probably expecting me to comment on Super Bowl XLVI that took place this past Sunday. So, I will. It was an amazing game that came down to the final minute of play to determine the winner. And, for the third consecutive year, the Super Bowl set a record as the most-watched television show in U.S. history. The Nielsen Company said Monday that an estimated 111.3 million people watched the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots on Sunday night. That narrowly topped the 111 million who watched Green Bay’s win over Pittsburgh last year.
Of course, the question that will be discussed for weeks and perhaps years is, “Why did the Giants win?” In my opinion, both teams had prolific and aggressive offenses. But, throughout most of the season, experts praised the improving Giants’ defense while they questioned the strength of the Patriots’ defense. In the end, I believe that the weaker defense could not contain the power of its opponent’s offense. Having a strong and ready defense matters.
I came across a novel a few years ago by best-selling author Francine Rivers called And the Shofar Blew. It tells the story of a gifted young man who becomes a pastor. He is charismatic and a skilled orator, and he is used by God to build a great church. But he lets down his defenses, and drifts into a self-centered scenario in which nearly he loses everything. It’s a story that has become far too familiar to me in real life.
 I deal with members of the clergy nearly every day who, for one reason or another, give their ministries away. Sometimes, it is for “30 pieces of silver.” Other times, it is for a fleeting moment of pleasure. There are even those times when “power needs” overtake them and they feel they can operate by another set of guidelines. In other words, they do whatever they feel like doing. Most often, the result is a betrayal of the trust our Lord has placed in them.
Satan and the forces of evil stand before you with an offer you must refuse. “The wages of sin” can cast a shadow that covers your whole ministerial history. We must be willing to count the cost of our words and deeds. When we are tempted, our defense is always the whole armor of God, so that we can “stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). We cannot risk our ministries with a weak defense.
Last week, I talked about the Shepherd’s Covenant®. The letter “C” in the G-R-A-C-E acronym stands for “constant safeguards.” You personally need constant safeguards in your life to defend you from the temptations and other threats to your ministry.
These days are challenging for our nation and the church. The battles we face are turbulent and demanding, but you who lead the church are standing in the gap for righteousness. Whatever you do, please do not give up. Pray more, study more, read more — gird yourself in the whole armor of God and stand firm.
“In everything, set them an example by doing what is [right] good” (Titus 2:7).
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Ministry today is more difficult than it has ever been. It seems that each day we hear of another colleague in ministry who has fallen into immorality, another who has burned out, another who has in some way weakened the credibility of those called to God’s ministry. Why is this happening in record numbers today?
I think that, amidst the hectic expectations that we encounter in “real” ministry, we often lose sight of the commitments we made when we first accepted Christ as our Savior and Lord. Perhaps the standards by which we promised to live when we followed His call to be His ministers have been overshadowed by exhaustion or carelessness. Whatever the cause, we in ministry more and more are facing a crisis of integrity, righteousness, and credibility.
I believe it is crucial that we regain our focus and recommit ourselves to a lifestyle pleasing to the Lord, to our congregations, to our families, and to ourselves. We pastors are joined together by a common call of God to feed His sheep, but we are also tied by a common commitment to purity, holiness, righteousness, and faithfulness. This agreement transcends theological differences, denominational connections, and local congregational constraints. We are bound to one another by our calls and by the knowledge that one day the Great Shepherd will be the final Judge.
Several years ago, I introduced a concept I called the Shepherd’s Covenant®. It is a strategy for the moral, spiritual, and ethical protection of pastors based on the guidelines practiced by the Good Shepherd. The Shepherd’s Covenant® is built on the acronym G-R-A-C-E. Here are the basics of that covenant:
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Genuine Accountability — There is a great difference between being cordial and collegiate. We need colleagues in our lives who will ask us hard questions and allow us to do the same with them. “Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself” (1 Samuel 18:1).
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Right Relationships — Our ministries can only be effective when our actions and reactions toward members of our families, our colleagues in ministry, and the members of our congregations are pure. We must be clergy of peace. “Live in harmony and peace, and may the God of love and peace be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11).
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A Servant/Shepherd’s Heart — The example that the Good Shepherd gave to His followers was in the first place that of a servant – the towel, the basin and a sincere willingness to be humble (John 14) – and in the second place that of an overseer who carefully watches his flock. “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15).
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Constant Safeguards — We must be vigilant. To put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10) is not merely an option. It is a necessity if we are going to successfully obey the command of our Lord to flee the various onslaughts of Satan.
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Embracement of God Intimately — The deeper one’s relationship with God through His Son Jesus, the more successful he will be in living a life above reproach and setting an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). An intimate relationship with Him makes it all possible. “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).
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While this new year is still young, look at the first of these elements. How are you doing with accountability — genuine accountability?
- Do you meet regularly with a colleague?
- Do you really engage and challenge one another?
- Do you pray for and support one another?
You need your accountability colleague — your colleague needs you! I realize accountability relationships are fluid, but they are very worthwhile. If you are having a tough time finding someone, select a pastor in town who has an assignment similar to yours and ask him to join you for a coffee break. It is amazing how productive those times can be. Honest, the members of the clergy that most often find their ministries in jeopardy are those who have no accountability. So, how are you doing?
‘‘A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
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Last Sunday was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. I hope you remembered and mentioned it in your message. I also hope that your church was able to take advantage of the information and audio/visual aids provided for you by organizations like Focus on the Family (BeAVoice.net).
I noticed an interesting twist on this very important observation that is being recommended by my former coworkers at Focus on the Family for this year. Here is a brief explanation from the Parsonage Web site:
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Often, because the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade occurs in January, when we talk about the sanctity of human life, we tend to focus on the beginning stages of life. Of course, if life is not protected from the beginning, there is never any other stage of life to protect!
But we must not forget that Scripture clearly teaches that, from the very first heartbeat to life’s final breath, all life has dignity and value that is God-breathed.
That’s why, when we talk about being “pro-life,” we aren’t primarily talking about a political issue. It’s a worldview ... a life-view. It’s a way of looking at each human life that transcends culture, class, race, age, and opinion. When we look at our fellow human beings as God does, we realize that we are all uniquely created in the image of God.
For this reason, this year, Focus on the Family will feature four themes ─ one per quarter ─ to raise awareness of the sanctity of human life at all stages, as follows:
Quarter 1: the child in the womb
Quarter 2: those with special needs
Quarter 3: the elderly
Quarter 4: orphans
When we begin to see others as God sees them, we’re moved to care deeply for those created in His image. We will live each day in a way that honors our Creator.
This is what it means to be pro-life. This is why we need to be a voice. Will you be a voice for life?
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So, my colleague, what do you think? Would you be willing to follow a similar schedule among your people?
In our book, They Call Me Pastor, Neil Wiseman and I wrote, “When you raise your voice to speak with such tenacious authority about the evils of abortion, be sure to lower that same voice to speak with great compassion to those who have been damaged by sin, assuring them there is healing, forgiveness, and mercy. ... Tell them that coming to God is the answer to the crushing anguish they carry.”
A veteran minister, who had been a pastor for nearly a lifetime, said, “I never deal with any sin without getting a tear in my eye. A tear of sadness for the consequences I see in a sinner’s life. A tear of joy that no sin is too great for a Savior to forgive. And a tear that God, by grace, kept me from the same sin.” Never preach against the threats to the sacredness of life without a tear in your eye.
The fight for life is an ongoing battle. Even if you do not feel comfortable addressing the issues of life from the pulpit, I pray you are finding ways to assist your congregation in remembering that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” God has something in mind for every one of His creations — those that have been born and those who are yet to be born.
I especially want to urge you to personally visit your local pregnancy center to see and better understand their vision for the unborn and their frightened parents, and how your church might fit that vision. For more ideas, read BeAChurchLiaison.pdf.
“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:15-16).
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. accomplished many things in his much-too-short life, and he initiated many more — some of which continue to blossom today. His most-remembered moment came on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial when he delivered his infamous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington D.C.
That speech had a particularly important impact on African Americans from that day to this as they have strived for and largely achieved the same opportunities, freedoms, and successes as those with whom they live throughout this nation. Its essence has also inspired so many others through its message of optimism in general.
I think that includes us, my colleagues. A wise old preacher was right when he told two young beginning pastors, ''A pastor never achieves more than his dreams."
That's an important starting point for ministry in every generation. Every pastor needs dreams that are passionately focused on the gospel and its supernatural effect on people who make up the congregation he or she serves.
So much depends on the combined dreams of pastors around the world.
Think of the needs: perplexed persons, dysfunctional families, indifferent churches, deteriorating neighborhoods, and a rotting society. Think of the possibilities: thousands of ministers representing an incredible force for setting direction, restoring purpose, and calling the world back to God.
What is the impossible dream you think about, pray about, and talk about? Begin to live that impossible dream. Reveal it to someone. Write it down in your Bible, and believe God for it!
"You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14:14).
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Assuming that all of the prognosticators were correct, I was planning on talking this week about Tim Tebow again and emphasizing that, even when you lose, you can get through it because you know that God is still with you. However, as you certainly know by now, Tebow and the Denver Broncos pulled off one of the great upsets of post-season history by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday on the first play of overtime — with a long touchdown pass.
Not to be deterred — and assuming that the Broncos will not make it to the Super Bowl, making this analogy eventually work — I have decided to say what I was planning to say anyway. There are four NFL teams who played this weekend for whom it applies today, in any case.
The work that you and I have been called to is filled with disappointments and "emotional speed bumps." But our directive is to continue loving and serving God and His children in spite of setbacks and missteps. We are never the healer — God is. We are neither the judge nor jury — God is. But we are His agents for change, and we must never grow weary of trying. Why? Listen to the apostle Paul: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:9-10).
I can honestly tell you there have been times when I have been weary in well-doing in spite of the Scripture's admonition not to give up. I have wondered, as you have, if there was strength sufficient to complete the journey. But I labored on, resisting the temptation to give it up, knowing inside I could not reject the call that our Lord had placed upon my life.
No doubt you have used the familiar phrase in Matthew 11:28 many times: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Have you read that passage lately? What does it mean to you?
May I expand that question and provide you with at least a glimpse into the words of Jesus? To me, it says: When faced with the pressures and challenges of our assignments, the Lord asks us to surrender to His loving yoke and experience His perfect rest, His strong arm around our shoulders.
So, hold your head high. You're doing a great work, and there will be many who join you around God's throne because of your faithfulness.
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:29-30).
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This is the first week of a new year. What do you plan to do in the next 365 days? What will you determine to accomplish? A lot of people make resolutions for the new year. I don’t do that because a resolution is more of an end than a means to reaching that end. Without a plan, a resolution usually becomes a wish or hope instead of a strategic reality. And a plan for the new year will involve a plan for each day.
Do you begin each day with a purpose in mind? Do you have goals for each day, or do you just start your day with no specifics in mind? When we have a plan, we have strategic steps for accomplishing something. And, as believers, we know that God must be an important part of that plan. "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).
Each of us must surrender our plans to the Lord each day. He will orchestrate the day, but He needs to know we are workers who are diligent and productive. In fact, if we know what should be done and can be done to God's glory, and we fail to seize the opportunity, we have failed God. James calls it sin: ''Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins" (James 4: 17).
My colleague, today will pass by quickly. When the day is over, what will you have contributed to the greater good, and how will you have embraced God's plan? The ministry is one calling that can be easily shortchanged. Please do not make that mistake. Your contribution is much too important.
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men" (Ephesians 6:7).
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I always look forward to the new year because it gives me the opportunity for a little self-examination, as well as some new thinking.
For you, the past year may have been a winner. Or maybe it has been close, but no trophy. Or perhaps it has been a tough one. No matter what last year was like, the new year looms with the promise of new horizons.
In anticipation, there is the ingredient of surrender. The Bible says, "You do not know what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27: 1), but it doesn't say that we are to simply put our feet up and watch the world go by. We are to plan, to dream, to remember God's blessings in the past, and anticipate what He has for us in the coming year.
Whatever you do, please do not wake up on January 1 without a new challenge before you. Plan for success; believe for God's blessing. Concentrate on the positive aspects of your ministry. Surround yourself with spiritual people. Study hard and be prepared. Love what you do and the people you serve. And laugh a lot. Trust God for your direction. I know it sounds simplistic, but consider the alternative? It's up to you!
My life verse continues to be the most quoted scripture in the Old Testament: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV). Happy New Year, my colleague!
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD" (Psalm 37:23, NKJV).
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"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). That is the message of Christmas in a nutshell. At just the right time, in just the right way, our heavenly Father stepped out of heaven with a baby in His arms and laid His Son in a manger. As John noted, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him" (1 John 4:9).
It is not always easy to love others. It is not always pleasant to work for peace. But what would it be like in your congregation if, as you worship together this coming weekend, those in the service were challenged to "drop the charges," to rid themselves of any bitterness or anger toward others, to be compassionate and forgiving, even as they have been forgiven through Jesus Christ? What if they were challenged to show God's love to one another by extending forgiveness and peace?
I strongly believe that many under your influence would have a much happier Christmas if they would just release those they hold in debt, due to broken relationships. "Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you" (Matthew 5:48).
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I guess it’s about time that I talk about Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. You already know that I am a big sports fan, football fan, and Tim Tebow fan — not as big a fan as my long-time assistant, Sue McFadden, but I don’t know if anyone could be a bigger Bronco or Tebow fan than she is. It makes me genuinely smile to watch her enthusiasm.
Yesterday, Tebow did it again — although, if you listen to him in interviews, he is the first to recognize his fellow teammates, coaches, and even the fans. Tebow and his team pulled out another fourth quarter miracle to tie their game against the Chicago Bears with a last-second 59-yard field goal, and then they forced a fumble and managed to win the game on a 51-yard field goal in overtime. That victory means Tebow has a 7 – 1 record as a starting quarterback this year, and has led his team back to a win in the fourth quarter or overtime five times during that streak. All of the sports anchors and analysts keep asking, “How does he do it?”
If you sat down privately with Tebow, I believe he would tell you that it is not because of anything he is able to do better than anyone else. In fact, I don’t believe he would take any of the credit. Instead, he would tell you that all he wants to do is glorify his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That’s where he feels the credit belongs. And I have a feeling that you might answer the same way. I believe you know that the credit for all of your successes and your ability to handle the defeats belongs to Christ working in your life.
I remember hearing a phrase years ago by an aging gospel singer — “Just remember, God don’t make no junk!” It was in reference to a person feeling down on himself. The feeling of worthlessness can come and go, as can the feeling of great joy, especially during the holidays. But, if we’re not careful, we will minimize God’s creation and His investment in our lives and ministry.
I want you to take a few moments and just give God thanks for who you are — thank Him for your talent, your personality, your voice, your mind, your ability to learn and project your thoughts into sermons. Thank Him for those moments when He gives you insight into other people’s challenges and, with a word, you are able to make their lives different. Thank Him for a gentle spirit that allows you to be still and listen to His direction for your next steps.
Whatever you do, please do not hang your head and bemoan your lot. Think of those many ways God has used you, blessed you, anointed you, and chosen you for a “miracle moment.”
Enjoy this Advent season with those who mean so much to you, and thank our Lord for making you unique. Like a wide-eyed child, celebrate God’s creativity and His wondrous gift to you in the Baby of Bethlehem.
“If anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
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We are now in the week between the Second and Third Sundays of Advent. Let me offer a word of caution to you as your schedule fills up.
I have walked through many rose gardens in my life, but have seldom stopped long enough to smell the roses. As I look back, I realize how sad that is. Do you stop to smell the roses? Do you take time to enjoy the simple blessings of life, or do you just rush through those times and later regret missing something very special?
My prayer for you in this Advent season is that you will not become so busy in the "Christmas Garden" that you miss the sights and sounds that make it so meaningful. In spite of the demands of the season, you personally must take time to soak in the joy called Christmas.
How? Start by taking/making time to do simple things. Drive with your family through the brightly lit neighborhoods. Take your children out for hot chocolate or pancakes as a special treat. Or just sit and listen to them. Go for a walk with your spouse and reminisce about those memories that have meant so much. Or just sit in your sanctuary — alone — and plan the services around people that our Lord brings to your mind. Visit a nursing home with your staff or loved ones for some caroling. Just take time to let the little things become like individual roses in a lovely garden.
Whatever you do, don't miss the beauty of this wonderful time of the year.
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You may have heard from a colleague, a neighbor, or the news that millions of Roman Catholics in the U.S. noticed something different when they attended services on the first Sunday of Advent this past weekend. The Catholic Church has been working for months to prepare parishioners for a new English language translation of the Mass, which, as of Sunday, is now used in all parishes. The new translation of the Roman Missal is one of the biggest changes to the lives of English-speaking believers in generations. Since Advent is the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year, it was an ideal time for such an important change, which has been four decades in the making.
The English changes were designed to be closer to the Latin text, but still proved to be a bit awkward at times for parishioners, even though they were supplied with cheat sheets that marked all of the differences. And the changes for the parishioners were minor compared to what the priests face, since most of them have the liturgy memorized.
The changes might take time for people to get used to, but I’m sure Catholic worshippers will eventually feel comfortable again. “Yes, some of the words change, but it’s always the same Mass,” said one woman. “That’s what’s important. It’s not so much about the revisions as it is about what’s central to our faith.”
I couldn't have said it better myself. It's about what is central to our faith. Advent is a Latin word meaning "the coming." It refers to the preparation time for celebrating the coming of Jesus, the Light in the midst of darkness, symbolized for many by the Advent wreath. Its observance begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
The Advent wreath is a circle of evergreen branches laid flat to symbolize God's endless love for His people. Four candles stand in the circle, typically three purple and one white or pink — each symbolizing different meanings in different Christian traditions. Occasionally, blue candles are used to emphasize the hope found in the fulfillment of God's promise through the birth of Jesus.
One candle is lit the first Sunday, two the second, three the third, and all four on the fourth and last Sunday before Christmas. A white candle, positioned in the center of the wreath and called the "Christ candle," is typically lit when Christmas falls on Sunday, as it does this year.
The first Advent candle reminds us that the coming of Jesus brought light into a dark world. That light still shines in the darkness, but many have been blinded to its truth. We must make that light so bright this Advent season that even the most skeptical will be able to see it. After all, He is what is central to our faith.
I pray for you His joy and His peace as you enter this most beautiful time of the year.
"In him was life, and that life was the light of men" (John 1:4).
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The city of Colorado Springs provides an interesting mixture of people. There are those working in a myriad of high tech industries. There are those participating in educational endeavors at the dozen or so colleges and universities. There are those serving at the headquarters of a large number of Christian ministries. There are those who have simply decided to retire to this beautiful community. And there are many other classifications.
The group that I think of this week, as we approach Thanksgiving, is our military. There are numerous military bases in and near Colorado Springs, plus the infamous AirForceAcademy. Theirs is a very real presence here, and I have many good friends among the chaplains who serve these soldiers.
This weekend, we witnessed an exciting event that is becoming more and more common — the return of troops from Iraq and other places around the world where these men and women literally stand in the gap in defense of our precious nation and for those in other countries where human rights are being trampled. There are few things as touching as watching a returning soldier reuniting with his or her family. We see it on the news here almost every week. And each time I see it, I am filled anew with pride in our military and thankfulness that one more has returned safely from a dangerous world out there.
Thanksgiving is also a time for those of us who lead the church to call our people to an "attitude of gratitude." It is a time for us to remind our people that what we have is a blessing from God, not an inalienable right or a given. Encourage your people to make the most of Thanksgiving. Let there be unprecedented love between you and those whom God has given you to serve. You can set the pace by:
1. Expressing your love and gratitude for your people and the assignment God has given you.
2. Making your ministry positive. In spite of the conditions around you, usher your people into the "faith life" that truly believes God is in control.
3. Challenging your congregation to give of themselves during the next six weeks. Ask each family to find a project that will edify the Body of Christ.
4. Researching a way to bless a sister church in your area that is struggling.
5. Making a personal holiday calendar in advance of the season and making sure it includes plenty of time with your family.
6. Being thankful! Just think: God chose you to be a messenger of His unconditional love. What an honor!
Remember that the opportunities before you are greater than those of any previous generation of Christian leaders. I pray for you as Paul prayed — that God strengthens your heart so you will be blameless and holy in His presence. Happy Thanksgiving, my colleague!
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever" (Psalm 100:4-5).
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From time to time, I will share some of my thoughts with you about a number of different topics. Whenever I do, I would be delighted to hear your reactions through the comments to each blog entry.
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