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Wanted: People who are better than me

It used to bother me when I had bosses, colleagues, employees and volunteers who were faster, smarter and more creative than me.  I always felt like I had to prove something.  I didn't want it to be said of me "He couldn't do that."  Let's call it what it is...insecurity.

Then September 1, 2011 arrived.  That was my first day on the job of being a Lead Pastor.  I don't know if my perspective changed or if what we were going through as a church (quick start-up and a new facility) caused me to change.  Perhaps the combination of all of my responsibilities (husband, father, pastor, son, friend, counselor, etc...) forced me to have a change in my attitude.  

I still have a long way to go.  Sometimes I still try to sound more intelligent (that never works by the way) and to prove myself to other people.  However, I'm enjoying the faster, more creative, and "better" people around me so much more than I have in the past.  I'm more inspired now by them rather than feeling insecure by their skills, experience and results. I find myself really thankful for them and longing for more of them around me every day!

inauguration day

As I begin writing this, the clock just struck midnight EST on January 20th, 2009.  Now, I really don't like to blog about politics, but today's Inauguration is history, not politics.  I just can't allow the 2009 Inauguration go by without saying something about the significance of the day and our responsibilities as Christians as a result.

As an American, I believe that today is a watershed day in our country's quest to blot out the dark and destructive mark of racism from our history.  Regardless of where you stand politically, you simply cannot deny that the Inauguration of Barack Obama today is a benchmark in our nation's history.  Barack Obama taking the oath of office is, in some sense, the culmination of the sacrifice of those who died for the abolition of slavery and those who stood boldly against the strong tide of  racism and bigotry that gripped our nation during the past century.

As a Christian, I believe we have a God-inspired obligation to pray for our nation's leadership, including and especially for President-Elect Barack Obama.  In I Timothy 2:1-2, Paul exhorts us that "...requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Christians, we ought to heartily support President Obama on those issues with which we agree; we should respectfully, resolutely and appropriately oppose him on those issues with which we disagree; but more importantly, we should passionately and specifically pray for President Obama often!  For more information on how we can pray for our new president, visit The Presidnetial Prayer Team's website.  Let's join together in prayer, starting today, for our new Presidnet, Barack Obama!

changes at liberty u

 

Cynthia and I visited our alma mater, Liberty University,  this past weekend for Homecoming 2008.  Friday was a work day looking for some interns for summer 2009, but the rest of the weekend was spent reminiscing about old times, seeing old and changing friends and chasing our kids around the hotel room! WOW, what a great time we had.  The thing that was overwhelming to me was the visual change that has taken place since we left in 1995 (yes, I'm officially old.) Here are some of the noticeable changes that I observed:

• coats and ties were replaced with jeans and tee shirts
• tin sided building were replace with brick exteriors
• small was replaced with large
• 5,000 students were replaced with 11,000
• sports were replaced with REAL sports

Seriously, we actually had a good time at the football game with over 15,000 in attendance and a 42-0 shellacking of Charleston Southern.  And although there is no longer the guard shack to egg (was that me who did that?), it was great to see how much has changed at Liberty for the good. There were some things that haven't changes a bit.  Their focus and mission hasn't changed at all.  The students were just as kind and gracious as ever.  Their passion to send students into a world to make a difference for the kingdom is just as galvanized as it was in 1995!  Jerry Jr. and Jonathan are doing a great job carrying on the tradition of their dad while at the same time carrying Liberty U into a new day.  I'm proud to be an alumni.