Looking at a servant leader

I enjoyed the wisdom of a man of great academic achievement and professional accomplishment speak about servant leadership this morning.
He was educated at three of the finest schools in our country, served as President of a top notch University and has undoubtedly experienced the great blessings, joys and accolades that are part of this package.
However, you do not receive these accolades without some gray days, stormy nights and the occasional tornado.
He suffered through an ugly scandal that he was not part of, however as a leader of this university he willingly took responsibility and suffered the consequences.
In his words, it was a dark time, full of anxiety, doubt and concern that he would survive with his health, marriage and family intact.

My first impression of him, which came within the first minute of hearing his voice was humbleness. Pure and simple.  He was humble, soft spoken, transparent and not at all what I had expected.
It made me sit up and say, "Hey, i like this man and I want to hear what he has to say."
He spoke for maybe 20 minutes and the more I listened the more I saw what it is to be a servant leader.
So many times we see leaders who are abrasive, bent on getting their own way, often arrogant.
We know it is hard to reach the Top.  To achieve we sometimes claw and fight our way up, unafraid of hurting those in our path. We can be the tornado sometimes.

Our role as Christian leaders should look different than the worldly view of leadership.
Too often we see selfish ambition, dishonesty, pride.  The Bible is clear about pride coming before the fall and there are many examples to keep us mindful of making that mistake.  Still, we repeat history.

As Christian leaders we are to bring others alongside us, not kick them out of our way.  We are to share the wisdom and discernment  from God and encourage our brothers and sisters.  We are to share the gifts we have been given, recognizing them as such.
We are the body of Christ.  What a beautiful visual Jesus gave us of the church when he talked about the body and each of us having different gifts and how they work together.  Lets use each other to glorify God through these gifts.

Today as I sat with these Christian leaders of my community I was reminded of how blessed I am.  The people God is continually putting in my path to encourage me, to mold me, to remind me.  Remind me, to be humble and look out for the good of others and not myself.  Servant leadership is putting myself last, not first.


Philippines 2:3-5 " Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should not look to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ."
Oh my, that last verse..... verse 5 on attitude, read that a couple of times over.  What would we look like if we had attitudes like Jesus?!

This man shared his journey, the blessings that God has given him through the trials and the dark days. God has brought him through the lonely night to the sunrise of a new morning, full of Gods promises.
He has a new voice and platform to encourage others who find themselves in painful, dark moments of the journey.
We are reminded our story doesn't end in the dark of night.  God is faithful and never leaves us there.  He stretches us to be who he calls us to be, who he demands us to be.  To be the most effective for the role he has chosen for us.
Rarely are we left shiny and new.  More often we are scratched, dented and worn, but as he refines us though the fire we come out solid and strong with an enduring beauty and lasting quality.

Philippines 4:47
" Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Never shave or talk on cell while running

So the nino says, "Hey madre, we (xcountry guys) decided we are going to shave our heads or legs or something for sectionals this week."

I am left wondering what "or something" is... and think back to the Book of Isaiah when God had the people shaved as a punishment. Cant be good....
These kids are going to shave their legs or "their somethings" because they are happy and because they must think it will make them run faster.  Hmm, maybe.

Last week they ran Regionals and the boy took 1 minute and 7 seconds off his best time at this course. This is the hated, killer hill course and it was nothing short of a miracle.  It could only be compared to watching, no, being AT Chariots of Fire.  Totally serious.
His team mates did equally well so there is much excitement among the running world of Central High school this week.  Add to that the picture of them running around the tent of Jericho, I mean Centennial, three times with the Nino holding the Central flag high.  Yes, they beat their hometown rival.

This is the same boy who has still not opened the SAT book and is praying he makes it to state..... which just happens to be the day of his SAT test!  It will just figure if he worms his way out of it.... through xcountry.
I will be out $60.00 and with no test results. Maybe I can take that test. Its not like I have not prepared! Gonna get me some new number 2's and sharpen em up.

So, the nino says they think they will start with their heads.  The shaving that is......"Hmm, did you forget your senior pictures are in two weeks?"  He quickly replies, "well, we will shave something." "What?",  I say a little louder than I had just practiced in my head.  He stares at me and says, "our legs, I don't know!"

His dad calls to say good morning.  This immediately sparks life out of the boy, who is finishing off his chocolate chip pancakes. "Guess what today is?,  he asks with big smile.   I am about to guess the day he starts looking at the SAT questions online, or starts asking me, ( deep voice)" and how was your day madre? Run into anyone interesting today?" upon his return home from school.

He joyfully shouts...." Its the day i get my upgrade!!" Ahh, this is like Christmas to teenage boys and girls the world round!!
 The day I get the new phone that I have bugged the _ _ _ _ (crap) out of my parents for, for the past two years.  It is going to "complete me", but alas, once this new phone touches my hand, its beauty will fade like a rose in the hand of Beauty's beast.  I will find that there is actually a better one, an even newer one, an unbelievable one, one that will make all our lives better........ If you will just let me have it before my next upgrade....... AGH, I HATE THE CELL PHONE CULT, I mean companies.  It does seem like a cult.  These people are evil and we all need an exorcism by the time they are done with us.

So, the nino reminds me his dad told him if he could break a certain time he would get him a certain, ridiculous phone.  I agreed because I thought the nino didn't have it in him.  Correction, I knew he had it in him, but i wasn't sure he knew he had it in him.  Drats, he figured out he did!

So, I will pray that the boy accomplishes all that he is capable of and gifted to do by God.  In that end I will be out $60.00, loss of SAT test, owner of new high end phone and additional monthly bill.  I will also be the madre of a son who has a shaved head with a big C in it.  C for Central,  C for Cross Country, or maybe C for Crazy.   C for Christ follower...... for sure.

So, run nino run and don't ever look back. The race is before you.

And don't worry about the SAT. I hated that test too!

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1

The Yankees, bike pumps and other stuff that wakes me up at three am

The heavy, blue SAT book sits on my sons dresser, among xcountry clothes, empty gatorade bottles and trophies from Little League baseball, years past.
Has he seen the SAT book? Has he noticed it when I put the book in front of him on the kitchen table or when i yell out to him , "I got one right!" after answering the question of the day that pops up on my email ...... I think I am going to get in a really good school :-)  and I'm not telling him the correct answer. You know what they say, "He's my competition" He might take my spot at that world renowned institution of partying, i mean higher learning.

The fact that he is quite comfortable at the moment ..... doesn't seem to keep me up at night though. I figure God has this covered for me. It is a special gift he gives moms of sons. He understands what we go through, trying to figure out what the heck they are thinking in that strange brain.

So, the boy plays this game with me, its very unique and lots of fun.
When I say, "Dan, you should get your college applications done.", he responds in a deep voice," You should get YOUR college applications done."
Isn't that clever?!  I bet his employers will love that some day, don't you think?!  I can just hear him now, laughing all the way to taco bell working the late night shift.

So, today I took his advice and applied to some interesting colleges with choices of majors for him. There was Women's studies at the University of Wisconsin,  Cyberfeminism at Cornell,  Profession of maple syrup at Alfred university, Professional Nanny at... cant remember name of that school.
I hope he likes my choices for him!

No, what keeps me up at night is trying to figure out where my darn Yankee's car sticker is..... hey, its playoff time and tomorrow might be too late!  Plus, I am not convinced God is a total Yankee fan, as that country song, "God Bless Texas" keeps running through my mind! So annoying.

Also, I really need to get a pump for my cycling bike. I always used Brendas but we no longer live two houses apart so.... might be hard getting over there on two flat tires.  The fact that we have not ridden these bikes in a year has absolutely no bearing on the dilemma I am facing.

I am also very aware that my dogs collar is orange yet her gentle leader is red. This is the worst combination and I really need to fix this. I have actually seen the other dogs turn their heads and snicker when we pass in the park.

 The list of things that don't keep me up at night.
I do not worry about.....

Where I am going to live next year
Where my son is going to school
How long my husband is going to want to be a Kansan
What I am going to do when I become an empty nester and move from everything I know.. all in one day( okay, i worry about this a little)
What God has up his sleeve for me
Where Im going to spend eternity

Now, where is that Yankee stuff?

saturating the soul in the oil of the Holy Spirit....

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, that God promises to those who love him."

My yesterday was a full day, starting early and ending when I finally turned off the Yankee game because it became so painful. We Yankee fans are not used to that type of anguish.

My day began early with some amazing Christian women who came together to encourage and challenge each other in our faith and day to day lives. 

It continued with more women who are faithful examples of what God has intended his children to be. Not pious, jumper wearing, dull women..... NO way, these are beautiful, bright, talented women. They encourage me to be a better daughter of the king. 

Finally, i sat in a meeting with some very articulate( yes, I am a little biased) men and women and discussed the opportunities before us. The challenges of Christian leadership and the benefits of being like minded and desiring to please God in the roles we play. We each recited the James verse we had committed to memory. It seems appropriate for my life right now.

Yes, it was a good day...... but the best was yet to come.

As I was leaving I stopped and chatted with a gal who I think is beautiful, inside and out. She is a generous woman and asked me how things were going as she is aware of my husbands job in another state.

She spoke to me from her heart and she shared some things that only she could share. She has wisdom as she has walked this road more often than I have. She  encouraged me more than she may ever know. 

She speaks truth clearly and I listened because I know whom she serves. 

She challenged me to be a better wife. 

She didn't tell me I needed to be a better wife. She showed me through her words of encouragement and her heart.

She has a servants heart. I do not. 

I have a selfish heart. I saw it more clearly after spending 15 minutes with her. 

So, I could have ignored it...... kinda still considering it :-)

But i cant because i want to go forward in my faith.

I have to go forward in my faith. 

The Holy Spirit demands I go forward in my faith.

So i will "Saturate my soul in the oil of the Holy Spirit, and keep my channel of communication always open to my heavenly Father. His desire is towards me,     and he will be my strong habitation."     

Come away my Beloved

I am so thankful for people who are willing to invest in other people, with nothing to gain for themselves. They simply know they are called to do that and they obey, respond and glorify.

the long and winding road

The Beatles sure did have a way with a tune.... 

"The long and winding road, 

that leads me to your door

You left me standing here

a long long time ago

Don't leave me waiting here

Lead me to your door."

Today, I drove that long and winding road, the road less traveled and a road not on any map that my husband and I thought would be a fun drive, a scenic drive or even a Sunday drive.

But, its still a good road, with lots of nice things along the way. The people you meet on this road are nice, very pleasant actually. The road has lots of twists and turns and you never know what's around the corner. Isn't that what makes the drive fun though?

I dislike straight roads. I have told my husband that forever. I don't like flat anything. Well, i would like my stomach to be flat again.

Flat roads where you can see what is coming and going is boring and we dont like anything boring. So, we are traveling this road because we don't know where it leads but we do know it leads us to each other.... one day soon. 

My husband is very kind to me. Maybe he feels a little guilty for dragging me from N.Y. half way around the country for the past 16 yrs( i actually kinda like it:)) or for not letting me get a Harley after taking a grueling week long motorcycle class in 100 degree temps and passing with flying colors.

Something about surgeons calling them donor cycles instead of motorcycles, not sure I wasn't listening....

But he decided to buy me something he thought I would really like.  I think he did it so I would have to come and spend a couple of days with him.  It makes me sad that he is alone during the week. Secretly, I think he likes it. He was having lamb for dinner tonight. Hmm, i had a candy bar. He also likes to have complete control over the TV. Hmm, who watches football on thursday night? There shouldn't be football on a Thursday night.

So, today I drove my present home, on the long and winding road. I thought of him along the way and how sweet he is and how I miss him. 

So enjoy your football and lamb and freedom to live as a bachelor.... for the time is short. One of these days you will have to take your wife to lunch, grocery shop together (again) and watch lifetime..... ah, the good ole days.

Sleep well my love.... and dont forget to make the bed. I know, even from 600 miles away:)

Mission Impossible?

Those that do not know Christ are His mission and we who do know the truth are the method.
HE uses us as a method to lead others to Him.  Hmm, I bet HE really thought this through when He picked us.  Maybe I should too.
I'm doing a study called being a Romans 12 Christian.  Romans 12 is about our personal responsibility.   I have this responsibility if I have the light of Christ in me.  I did not find any loop holes for this when reading Romans 12. I looked.......

What I take from this passage is pretty heavy.  It includes sacrifice, humbleness, sober judgement, using the gifts God has given me..... no mention of some of us getting the short end of the stick here.
The big one is LOVE.  It has to be sincere( is there any other kind?)  It includes devotion, hating what is evil, serving, joy, honor, being patient, faithful.
Bless those.....who are mean?! Afraid so.  Its not very hard to bless the kind is it?
Do not be proud.
 Get along with people, no matter what. What? Really?  Even if they are wrong and I am right?  Even if they are left and I am right?  Even if they are nut buckets and I am not?  Even then........ :)
Do good.

Maybe we should be like Mike and Nike.... and just Do IT.

Mission Impossible?  No way.  Mission incredible?  Yes, what an opportunity to be who we are called to be, with a complete instruction manual and warranty that never expires when we have a malfunction!

Romans 12:3 " For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

Suffering

Suffering and pain were not Gods intention for us. HE created a world that was perfect, without blemish or flaw.  Like an airbrushed model in a magazine?   No, she isn't perfect, just airbrushed.  A form of deceit we might say.
Perfect doesn't need a cover up.  It doesn't need soft lighting or trick photography.  It is perfect because it is pure.

We cant really understand this because we will never know perfection this side of heaven. Everything we have that we consider perfect is a cheap imitation. It is pleather instead of soft, buttery leather,
and even that is imperfect because sin has affected the cow who wears it.  It is nothing compared to heaven and what God has intended for us.

So, we suffer, because man had a choice and he chose to sin.  God loves us enough to give us a choice. He is a gentleman and never forces his love on us.  He is always waiting though, with outstretched arms to pick us up, look us eyeball to eyeball and say," I love you my child. I have loved you since the day I created you and even before. You are perfect in my sight and I am going to love you forever ."
Then he gives us the warmest, comforting hug that is better than anything we can imagine!!
Do you believe this?  I do and I would bet my life on it!  Its called faith.  Faith in the God of heaven and all creation.  Look around you.  He shows himself every morning, new and fresh..... and this is not heaven .  This is the earth that groans with the pains of sin. Can you imagine what heaven will be like?? Me neither:)... but its gonna be awesome!

Suffering is hard and doesnt go away just becasue we are Christ followers.  Sometimes it gets worse.  All of the disciples( the first Christ followers) but one, died a martyrs death.  Why should we expect better and yet most of us will only suffer some insults for our choice of faith... if we even share that faith.

I believe suffering grows us in our faiths.  It has worked that way for me.  I would not be as passionate as I am for Christ if I had not lost everything at one point in my life.  You see, i thought I lost everything, but God had not left me and HE placed in me a joy in HIM.  I didn't have this joy until HE took the one thing I didn't think I could survive without.  Ah, the wisdom of God compared to man.  No comparison!

I have a friend who is suffering greatly right now.  She is a true Christ follower.
 She is a bright, beautiful , accomplished woman who shows Jesus immediately through her smile.  But, she is in pain. She is dealing with things most of us will never know or begin to understand.  She has walked in faith and taken risks that most of us would be terrified to take. She believes in a big God though and knows he goes before her and prepares the way.  Still, she is suffering.
Does this mean God has left her or forsaken her?  No, this means it is time to call on him, minute by minute. It is time to persevere and let Jesus pick her up, look her eyeball to eyeball and say, "I love you and I will never leave you or forsake you. Trust me , my precious daughter and I will bring you through these deep waters. My ways are not your ways but I will bless you. Of that you can always trust." And then he will hug her so deeply with such comfort that she can rest from her weariness in the only comfort she will ever know this side of heaven.

Joshua 1:9 " be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Main Man Moments

The other day i was reading, praying and really feeling Gods presence.
Lets face it, this isn't always the case.  Sometimes I am preoccupied with the life buzzing above my head and I am just trying to check things off my list. Imagine trying to check God off your list? Isn't he the last thing we want to check off? "Done with you for the day God. See ya tomorrow, if your lucky!"  Ouch , I think I have done that...... more times than I want to admit.

So, things were going really well between God and I and then I got a phone call.  Stop everything.....It was one of my kiddos. They were having a pretty hard day and needed to share. A scripture and song came immediately to my mind and I shared it. We talked for a while and at the end of the conversation this darling child of mine said, "thanks, i feel a lot better now mom." sniff, sniff.. I love this kid!

WOW, I could only offer that wisdom and help because I had been seeking Gods wisdom and direction for my life. In that moment I said thank you to God. Thank you for caring about every detail of my life. Thank you for showing me how to encourage my child. Thank you for keeping me strong and not crumbling when they felt they were about to crumble.

About 15 minutes later, as God and I were still hanging out I heard from my other child. This was a call about a good thing that had just happened and the surprise that my child felt.
I was able to celebrate with my child and tell them how happy I was for them. I was beaming for this kid. This kid rocks my world !

After both of these moments with my kids I was overcome with emotion. I realized how awesome and wonderful the God I serve is. He cares about everything that touches my life. He is in all of it. The moments of joy I feel and the darkness of grief. He was faithful to me in showing me how to encourage and support my children. Not in shallow,"you'll get over it. Tomorrow will be a better day" statements but in the declaration that they are loved by the God of the universe and he has a plan for them. A plan that will bless them and grow them.
 He has made them his vineyard, prepared the soil, planted the best grapes and pruned as needed.  This makes them grow strong in roots and sweet to the taste. They will last a long time because they are rooted well and will not wash away when the rains come.
They are his masterpiece and he has given me the blessing of helping him shepherd them until they don't need to be shepherded. Not sure if this ever happens as I still need it from time to time from my parents. They really do seem to get wiser with age. Funnier too :)

At the end of the day I felt I had received a special gift from God. He had touched me deep in my heart. It is hard to find that place sometimes because we hide it and protect it from hurt.
God digs deep because it makes us transparent. It peels away a layer or two, letting others see in and hopefully see Jesus.
God had blessed me with an opportunity to help and to celebrate. Nothing life changing happened to my kids that day. But, it was a day and a moment I won't soon forget.

Would I have missed the blessing if I had been hanging out with someone else.  Oprah or Target or a good book. Nothing is wrong with those things but sometimes we forget to hang out with our main man, early and often. He needs to be the voice in my head and not someone else.

Thanks big guy, for holding my attention more and more.

The Words I Would Say - Sidewalk Prophets [lyrics]

When I think of these words I think of my children. Of course the obvious fact .... this is the way God thinks of us. I pray these words for them as I know they will have struggles through this life. I want them to remember whose they are and who cares for them. Of course I do, but even a mothers love cannot compare with the love of God for his children. Hard for me to imagine but I know it is true. 

My children know the love of God in their hearts, minds and souls and I give God all the glory. 

They know he is their rock and redeemer. Their mighty deliverer and protector. The lover of their souls and constant companion. 

My job is complete if they have found Christ and cling to him with their every decision and choice. Be true to who created you and who has a plan for you. A plan to bless you and go before you and to be graceful and merciful to you. 

What a blessing to watch this happen. My prayer has always been for my children to know Joy and that  comes through relationship with Christ. 

Happiness is nice. We experience happiness during moments in life, a birthday, a new car.  Joy is so much richer..... Joy can be for a lifetime, having nothing to do with our circumstances.

Thank you God that you care more for my children's character than their comfort.

(and my)