I spent most of the day Friday and Saturday with a bunch of wise guys. There names are: Mike, Brian, Jeff, Dirk, John, Dan, Eddie, and Mark (Earl was missing, on assignment elsewhere in the country sharing his elder wisdom with another church).
These wise guys are my fellow elders at Chase Oaks Church.
What an impressive group of godly men! It was such a privilege to spend time with all of them on a "retreat" from our normal daily activities. They definitely provided a lot encouragement for me and definitely refilled my tank for leadership of our church!
However, one of these wise guys in particular will be the primary subject of this post. His name is Mike.
I've known and admired Mike for about 19 or 20 years. All of that time he and his sweet wife Sharon have faithfully served our church as an elder couple. They have been extremely dedicated servant leaders. They have been (and still are) an inspiration to me and so many others. They continually show me and so many others what servant leadership looks like. The wisdom that spills out of their mouths, and the clarity of their thoughts in the things that they do, is truly a wonderful blessing in my life (and in the lives of so many others). I'm going to share a little secret with all of you reading this. When I grow up, I want to be just like Mike.
I want to be as faithful and loving as he has been to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I want to be as honest and courageous as he has been in all of his business dealings throughout the years.
I want to be as selfless and giving as he has been to his wife and children/grandchildren from the day they were married/born.
I want to be the student of Scripture that he has been so that any wisdom that spills out of my mouth is unquestionably from the Lord, not just from me.
I want to be as humble as he is in spite of all the accomplishments he has been a part of here on earth.
I want to have as much integrity/energy/flexibility that he has when I am his age and in his stage of life.
I want to show Christ to others by the way I live, just as Mike has for so many years.
I am mindful of the fact that if he were to read this, Mike would be somewhat embarrassed and would not like the attention these words bring to him. That's just the way he is. But, sometimes you need to call out certain wise guys and tell them how much they mean to you and how much you admire them anyway.
I could write similar things about the other wise guys I spent the weekend with, but Mike, this one's for you! Thanks for being one of the wise guys I really love to be around.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
A Glance Behind
Sometimes it is helpful to take a glance behind. Sometimes we get so caught up in moving forward, totally focused on where we are moving to, that we miss the real benefits of taking a glance behind.
That's why it is so important for us to study history. World history in particular. We can learn a lot from spending the time to take a glance behind.
This year as a part of his 10th grade home education, my son Nathan is studying World History with my wife. Just this past week, the two of them were in a chapter that was discussing the Roman Republic. The enduring influence of the Roman Empire is reflected pervasively in our contemporary language, literature, legal codes, government, architecture, engineering, medicine, sports, arts, etc. Much of what the Roman Empire was all about is so deeply embedded in our culture that we sometimes fail to acknowledge how much we are indebted to ancient Rome. We miss it if we fail to take a glance behind.
Consider most common languages of the world today (including English, for example). Most of these languages are taken from Latin. Without Latin, you could not have read much of the past few sentences/paragraphs.
But even beyond that, the Roman Empire was a really big deal. It was the most powerful global force in its time. It lasted over 500 years, and was more important than any other world power during most of that time.
But, somewhere along the way, something happened. At some point in time, the Roman Empire fell, and now we only read about it in the history books (if we take a glance behind, that is).
My wife, Ellen, read something to me out of their World History book the other day and it seemed too significant not to mention in this blog. It was at the end of the chapter they were studying on the Roman Republic. Here is what the book had to say:
During these years of the republic, Rome grew from a small city along the Tiber to become the master of the Mediterranean world. New prosperity and power resulted from Rome's conquests. But with her rise to prominence, Rome was faced with new challenges. The Roman historian Livy described their predicament: "For true it is that the less men's wealth was, the less was their greed. Of late, riches have brought in avarice, and excessive pleasures, the longing to carry wantonness and license to the point of ruin for oneself and of universal destruction."
The foundation of the republic began to crumble. Traditional values, such as discipline, personal morality, and respect for authority, diminished. Citizens who once served their country with a sense of patriotic duty and responsibility now sought their own selfish interests. Corruption in government abounded. The breakdown of the moral fiber of the republic encouraged the use of force to settle Rome's problems.
In the midst of economic and political disorder, the Romans allowed the powers of the state to increase. They surrendered many of their rights and freedoms to obtain political and economic stability. The republic that offered so much liberty and rule by the people was replaced by tremendous government control and rule by emperors.
Now I ask you, does that sound at all familiar to you when you consider what is happening today in the United States? Do you think that we as a nation might benefit from studying about what caused the Roman Empire to fall so that we can avoid having the same fate happen to us? Hmmmmmmm.
Sometimes it's great to take a glance behind. There is a saying that goes something like this: "If you don't learn from history, you are bound to repeat it."
God forbid that we should fall into the same trap that caused the Roman Empire to fall...
That's why it is so important for us to study history. World history in particular. We can learn a lot from spending the time to take a glance behind.
This year as a part of his 10th grade home education, my son Nathan is studying World History with my wife. Just this past week, the two of them were in a chapter that was discussing the Roman Republic. The enduring influence of the Roman Empire is reflected pervasively in our contemporary language, literature, legal codes, government, architecture, engineering, medicine, sports, arts, etc. Much of what the Roman Empire was all about is so deeply embedded in our culture that we sometimes fail to acknowledge how much we are indebted to ancient Rome. We miss it if we fail to take a glance behind.
Consider most common languages of the world today (including English, for example). Most of these languages are taken from Latin. Without Latin, you could not have read much of the past few sentences/paragraphs.
But even beyond that, the Roman Empire was a really big deal. It was the most powerful global force in its time. It lasted over 500 years, and was more important than any other world power during most of that time.
But, somewhere along the way, something happened. At some point in time, the Roman Empire fell, and now we only read about it in the history books (if we take a glance behind, that is).
My wife, Ellen, read something to me out of their World History book the other day and it seemed too significant not to mention in this blog. It was at the end of the chapter they were studying on the Roman Republic. Here is what the book had to say:
During these years of the republic, Rome grew from a small city along the Tiber to become the master of the Mediterranean world. New prosperity and power resulted from Rome's conquests. But with her rise to prominence, Rome was faced with new challenges. The Roman historian Livy described their predicament: "For true it is that the less men's wealth was, the less was their greed. Of late, riches have brought in avarice, and excessive pleasures, the longing to carry wantonness and license to the point of ruin for oneself and of universal destruction."
The foundation of the republic began to crumble. Traditional values, such as discipline, personal morality, and respect for authority, diminished. Citizens who once served their country with a sense of patriotic duty and responsibility now sought their own selfish interests. Corruption in government abounded. The breakdown of the moral fiber of the republic encouraged the use of force to settle Rome's problems.
In the midst of economic and political disorder, the Romans allowed the powers of the state to increase. They surrendered many of their rights and freedoms to obtain political and economic stability. The republic that offered so much liberty and rule by the people was replaced by tremendous government control and rule by emperors.
Now I ask you, does that sound at all familiar to you when you consider what is happening today in the United States? Do you think that we as a nation might benefit from studying about what caused the Roman Empire to fall so that we can avoid having the same fate happen to us? Hmmmmmmm.
Sometimes it's great to take a glance behind. There is a saying that goes something like this: "If you don't learn from history, you are bound to repeat it."
God forbid that we should fall into the same trap that caused the Roman Empire to fall...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Study Hard!
Remember when you were in middle school or high school and your teachers or your parents (and for some of you, they were one-in-the-same!) told you to study hard? And why was that? Why did they keep telling you that?
Well, more than likely it was said to generally keep you occupied and out of trouble! But, it may have also been said to make sure that you were fully prepared when school's "pop quizes" or tests came along. Then, when they did, you were really glad that you had studied hard because the "pop quizes" or tests didn't freak you out as much. Remember that?
So, what about those of us who are no longer in middle school or high school (or college for that matter)? Does the fact that we are no longer in an academic setting mean that we don't need to study hard anymore?
From my experience, I would definitely say "No." As a matter of fact, I find that I have an even greater need to study hard these days as my life marches on into the future . You see, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am studying God's Word - The Bible. Doing so helps me better navigate the successes and challenges of this life. God's Word prepares me fully for what lies ahead. I really never know exactly when life's "pop quizes" or tests will come. Neither do you. But, one thing is for certain. They will come. And, oftentimes we don't see them coming until they are right on top of us. Then, it is kind of late to "cram for the exam." When a success or challenge is right upon you, you're sure glad that you've been studying (or sometimes regretting that you haven't)!
Several dear people in our lives (Christ followers) have had incredible and sometimes unexpected tests thrust upon them in the last few months. The tests I am referring to are much more difficult than the ones you may have had in Biology or Algebra when you were in high school! It has been interesting (and oftentimes inspiring) to watch how these really special people have handled their particular tests. The ones who have developed disciplined habits of studying hard (God's Word), seem to have managed their tests a lot better than those who haven't developed the habit. I think there is a definite correlation for this.
Does that mean that if you study hard the "pop quizes" or tests of life are somehow made easy? No. But for Christ followers, God's Word usually contains all the answers we need for the "pop quizes" and tests of this life. If you don't believe me, I challenge you to try it (studying God's Word hard) and see if it doesn't make a big difference in your life. If you are a Christ follower (and even if you aren't), what have you got to lose? If you try it, I'm convinced that you'll see a difference the next time a success or challenge comes your way.
Study hard! You never know when life's "pop quizes" or tests are going to come your way. I want to be fully prepared for them, don't you?
Well, more than likely it was said to generally keep you occupied and out of trouble! But, it may have also been said to make sure that you were fully prepared when school's "pop quizes" or tests came along. Then, when they did, you were really glad that you had studied hard because the "pop quizes" or tests didn't freak you out as much. Remember that?
So, what about those of us who are no longer in middle school or high school (or college for that matter)? Does the fact that we are no longer in an academic setting mean that we don't need to study hard anymore?
From my experience, I would definitely say "No." As a matter of fact, I find that I have an even greater need to study hard these days as my life marches on into the future . You see, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am studying God's Word - The Bible. Doing so helps me better navigate the successes and challenges of this life. God's Word prepares me fully for what lies ahead. I really never know exactly when life's "pop quizes" or tests will come. Neither do you. But, one thing is for certain. They will come. And, oftentimes we don't see them coming until they are right on top of us. Then, it is kind of late to "cram for the exam." When a success or challenge is right upon you, you're sure glad that you've been studying (or sometimes regretting that you haven't)!
Several dear people in our lives (Christ followers) have had incredible and sometimes unexpected tests thrust upon them in the last few months. The tests I am referring to are much more difficult than the ones you may have had in Biology or Algebra when you were in high school! It has been interesting (and oftentimes inspiring) to watch how these really special people have handled their particular tests. The ones who have developed disciplined habits of studying hard (God's Word), seem to have managed their tests a lot better than those who haven't developed the habit. I think there is a definite correlation for this.
Does that mean that if you study hard the "pop quizes" or tests of life are somehow made easy? No. But for Christ followers, God's Word usually contains all the answers we need for the "pop quizes" and tests of this life. If you don't believe me, I challenge you to try it (studying God's Word hard) and see if it doesn't make a big difference in your life. If you are a Christ follower (and even if you aren't), what have you got to lose? If you try it, I'm convinced that you'll see a difference the next time a success or challenge comes your way.
Study hard! You never know when life's "pop quizes" or tests are going to come your way. I want to be fully prepared for them, don't you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
