LifeVesting

You Are Missed More Than You Know

Andy Wood — Sun, 27 May 2012 06:26:55 +0000

But now… Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you (1 Thessalonians 3:6).

It’s a silent fear among all who have ever touched the life of another:

Will I be remembered?

And if so, will I be remembered kindly?

Sometimes we brace ourselves for the bad news by those calming, settling rationalizations…

…Oh, it was nothing special…

…They’ve probably moved on…

…I wasn’t that important…

Then Timothy shows up with good news.

They always think kindly of you.

They long to see you as much as you long to see them.

You’re crazy-missed.

And your influence lives on.

Never underestimate the power of the faith, hope, and love you invest in somebody else.

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Three Gateways to Gratitude

Andy Wood — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:19:33 +0000

UPDATE: The giveaway has been moved to Tuesday, May 29. (Forgot it was Memorial Day Weekend.)

(Shameless Plug: Be watching Sunday, May 27, for our first-ever prize giveaway.)

The Thanksgiving holiday is still a long way off. The turkeys are still strutting around the barnyard as if life will go on forever.

Nobody’s playing football on TV, though I did hear that Peyton has started working out with his new team and somebody else has joined the sue-the-NFL club.

School is out this week in a lot of places, so maybe families will be getting together for the Memorial Day Weekend holiday. But I fear as a nation we’re just as thankless on Memorial Day as we typically are on the fourth Thursday in November.

So. Since nobody’s going around the table making you share what you’re thankful for, what are you thankful for? Since you haven’t eaten yourself into a ‘bout-to-pop stupor, what are you thankful for? Since nobody is having a pre-Christmas sale right now (that I know of), what are you thankful for?

Grateful in the Grind

We spend most of our years grinding it out, whatever “it” is. We’ve figured out how to squeeze all the margin out of our lives – so much so that somebody recently joked about being bored in the bathroom because they forgot to take their smart phone.

But somewhere in the nonstop activity and pressure, we need to take time to breathe. And that’s where gratitude comes in. Gratitude is oxygen to the soul. And while you can’t always see where it’s taking you, creating pockets of spiritual and emotional breathing is an investment you’re making in your future.

Tucked away in a friendly greeting in one of Paul’s New Testament letters, you’ll find these words:

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

Lest you assume this was written by somebody with plenty of free time on his hands, I should remind you that Paul was one of the busiest people in the Bible. But he routinely incorporated gratitude to God in his hard-charging schedule, and I think that was one of the secrets of his power and productivity.

In greeting the Thessalonians, Paul categorically states that he always thanks God for them. In essence, whenever Paul thought of them, he gave thanks to God. That’s because something he saw in them reflected the powerful work of God in his own life.

Who do you have to thank God for? And how long has it been since you did it? Here are three gateways to help you frame it:

Tools

Paul saw the Thessalonians as a tool of God in his own life. They were extending and continuing his ministry when he could no longer be there to do it himself. As his letters will attest, they were also great sources of support and joy throughout his ministry.

When I thank God for somebody else, it’s often because God has used them significantly in my life. They are my encouragers, my teachers, my role models and my supporters. They are the people who have reminded me that God is love and that He is generous and kind. These people gave me chances when nobody else would, put up with me when I wasn’t all that fun to be around, and saw in me something I often didn’t see in myself.

How about you? Who are the tools God has used or is still using to change your life for the better? Whose shoulders do you stand on today in your work or ministry? Who pointed out your potential genius, imparted an important skill or insight, or walked beside you through the mayhem? Who told you to shut up, grow up or wise up when you needed it? Who picked you up when you were down, slowed you down when you were going too fast, or shut you down when you thought you were invincible?

Stop. Breathe. Thank God for them. And if they’re still living, tell them: “I thank God for you.”

Trophies

Paul saw the Thessalonians as recipients of God’s work through his own. They were trophies of God’s grace, but that grace was extended as an affirmation of Paul’s ministry. Their faith, hope and love brought joy and fulfillment to Paul because he was God’s instrument to lead them to Christ.

Don’t underestimate the importance of this. In a life so marked by hostility, persecution, and frustration, having such trophies of grace is extremely affirming.

I was having my weekly call with my old friend Randall yesterday. As we often do, we did a review of some of the old days – people who had touched our lives, befriended us, or responded to us in some way. We also did a postmortem on some really stupid things we said or did – often in the name of God – that I so wish I could redo.

Somewhere the question came up: Was any of our apparent influence real? The temptation was to write it all off as a couple of high school or early college kids expressing their annoying and often flawed zeal for God. But there is fruit that remains, and God is using people to this day that we had the privilege of influencing.

What about you? Is there somebody still moving forward that you once encouraged not to quit? Is there somebody still serving God because you shared Christ with them? Is there somebody influencing others today because they’re standing on your shoulders, following your example, extending your influence?

Stop. Breathe. Thank God for them. And if they’re still living, tell them: “I thank God for you.”

Testimonies

Paul saw the Thessalonians as examples and models – testimonies to the world around them of what faith, hope and love look like in the real world. They were examples of service and endurance and a living reminder to Paul himself to keep moving forward.

I’ve often spoken of the difference that Fred Wolfe, my pastor, has made in my life in a myriad of ways. But one of the things I’ll never forget is a hand-written letter he sent me after I had forwarded him a copy of a message I had preached, sharing a significant testimony in my own life. In the letter he thanked me for sending it, and added, “It really helped me.”

What? I possibly did something to help him? Talk about encouraging!

How about you? Is there someone whose example you are following, whose influence you still profit from? Is there somebody who motivates you to keep going, who challenges you to believe, or who show you how to love – even if you may have never met them?

Stop. Breathe. Thank God for them. And if they’re still living, tell them: “I thank God for you.”

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Why Do I Feel So Torn Within?

Andy Wood — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:37:48 +0000

I know I’m not supposed to worry.

But…

I know I should have more faith in God.

But…

I know this should be an easy, clear decision.

But…

I want to pursue this direction.

But…

I long ago lost count of the number of times a counseling or coaching encounter started there. Here’s what I know. Here’s what I should be. Here’s what I want.

But…

These are the starting points of conversations about something we all encounter – core conflicts.

A core conflict is exactly what it sounds like – a sense that you are being pulled in two or more different directions. And more than likely you’ve been there to some extent today. Sometimes a core conflict is as common as deciding what’s for supper. But sometimes it’s more a case of “Do I eat to live or live to eat?”

We navigate through core conflicts throughout the day, in big and small ways. We make decisions based on values, convenience, love, passion, fear, and a host of other things. And for the most part we make our choices, live with them, and live to see another day.

Sometimes, though, we arrive at a “but…”

Sometimes the core conflict creates a moral impasse, or a violation of conscience. Sometimes it produces a lot of anxiety or guilt. In fact, the biblical word for “anxiety” means “to be pulled in different directions.”

Sometimes it yanks at different ends of our hearts. Ever feel caught between loving God and loving somebody? Ever feel torn between telling the truth and protecting somebody’s feelings? Or did you ever feel hung between safety and adventure, your past and your future, or status quo and status go?

The late Davey Jones and his Monkees friends once sang a song that expresses that a bit:

Look out, here comes tomorrow, that’s when I have to choose.
How I wish I could borrow someone else’s shoes.

One of the things I have found helpful in dealing with those high-intensity core conflicts is in recognizing where they come from. Core conflicts are the result of urgency, uncertainty, or careless mental demands we place on ourselves or God. If you can identify where this impasse of the soul comes from, maybe you can find the wisdom to triumphantly navigate through it. Here are five sources to consider:

Unmet needs.

The urgency to address an unmet need can redefine what’s important or make you choose a path that’s contrary to your values.

I know a guy who just took a job. Not a career. A job. And this after vowing he’d never work for “the man” or collect a corporate paycheck again. This guy’s a self-starter who greatly prefers to work for himself. But when his business went down and his bills went up, another desire kicked in – the desire to eat and provide for his family.

That’s a fairly benign situation because he can always go back to being his own boss when the economy improves. But having an unmet need can also tempt you or drive you to make choices you never would otherwise. How far would loneliness or financial desperation take you? It’s easy to claim the high road when things are tolerable. But the urgency of unmet needs can make fools of the rules.

Uncertain futures.

Many of our core conflicts come from the fact that we can’t accurately know and/or predict the future – yet we insist we should.

Remember King Saul in the Bible? He was like Larry, Moe, and Curley all rolled up into one royal stooge. In one of his better scenes, he whipped a bunch of Philistines. They weren’t too happy about that, so they marshaled their forces and it was on. Israelites went fleeing in all directions but Saul stayed to fight.

To be fair, I should point out that nobody in their right mind would ever want a Philistine angry with him, much less an entire army. They were like ancient Klingons. (If you don’t know what a Klingon is, never mind.)

Saul knew his only chance was the favor of the Lord. But in those days, only Samuel the prophet/priest had that role, and Samuel was late to arrive. (Unconfirmed rumor has it that he was stuck at the counter paying to check his bags). So Saul, in order to feel safe, disobeyed God’s clearly-defined orders and offered a burnt offering himself.

Oh, that silly Saul! Compromising himself in order to feel safe about the future. We would never do something like that!

Would we?

Unrealistic Expectations

Many core conflicts arise because we tend to load ourselves down with expectations we can never live up to. At the Servant Leadership Roundtable I attended recently, the discussion during one session was on burnout. The esteemed Dr. Paul Wong made a powerful statement:

The reason we burn out is because we expect to do the impossible.

And somewhere in our hearts, we’re haunted by those words, “I must.”

I know pastors who routinely hoist the entire emotional load of a church and its performance on their shoulders to carry alone. I know other professionals who have no concept of limitations when it comes to time, abilities, or money. I know many really busy people who are afraid to say “no” when someone asks them for help because they have the self-imposed expectation that they can respond to every need.

They can’t. You can’t. And it’s OK to say no.

Sometimes people aim those unrealistic expectations at something else. Take the “perfect marriage” for example. Or that dream job or career. Or friendships. Are you asking your marriage to do something it was never intended or is not capable of doing? Are you expecting friendships or your career to fill holes they were never intended to fill? If you’re not careful, your core conflict may escalate to a conflict with somebody else.

Unresolved Issues

Translate this “unhealed hurts” or “unresolved guilt.” How many times have you faced a compelling future possibility, only to be dragged back into emotional caves of past hurts or mistakes? Nothing will test your sense of forgiveness or grace more than reminders of an ugly past.

That’s why I’m grateful that when the New Testament church was born on the Day of Pentecost, its chief spokesman was the guiltiest guy in the upper room. Peter forever stands as a model of what to do with a past issue.

I’ve seen a lot of wasted talent – even a few wasted callings – because somebody felt unworthy or was afraid of being hurt again. Or worse, they were paralyzed, not by somebody else’s evils, but by their steadfast refusal to let it go and forgive.

Bad enough to waste your own life that way. But I’ve seen parents foist their “fightings and fears, within, without” on their kids, and that’s wrong. When you transfer your unresolved issues to a new generation, you’re sucking the life out of their future.

Unchangeable Circumstances

When we want to change something that can’t be changed, we have a problem. First, of course, you need to make sure it’s actually unchangeable. But if it is, then it’s important to learn the difference between acceptance and approval. This is vitally important when the “unchangeable” is someone you love.

You. Can’t. Change. Them.

Influence? Of course.

Pray for? Absolutely, since only God and their choices can actually make the change.

Love? Absolutely, and unconditionally. And that’s the rub. We don’t understand how to love someone who makes choices we disapprove of. And so we’re torn between loving the “sinner” and hating the “sin.”

This also applies to issues related to the past. Unless you’re a liberal theologian, politician or historian, you can’t rewrite the past. (A conservative would never do such a thing!) You may not approve of past events – yours or somebody else’s. But you can’t change them.

But when you insist that you have to fix somebody, change something, or undo what can’t be undone, you leave yourself trapped in a web of frustration, disappointment, and magical thinking.

When you feel torn within, I want to encourage you that there are solutions. More on that later. But it starts with understanding where the core conflicts come from in the first place.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33, NIV).

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What it Means to Be Forgiven

Andy Wood — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:31:06 +0000

Many years ago, a little girl and her dad were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance, they saw a prairie fire; eventually, they realized, it would engulf them.

The father knew there was only one way of escape. He quickly started a fire right where they were and burned a large patch of grass.

When the huge fire drew near, he took his little girl and stood on the section that had already been burned. When the fire actually did approach them, the girl was terrified by the raging flames. But her father assured her, “The flames can’t get to us. We’re standing where the fire has already been!”

There is a fire that Christ-followers face that can seem as frightening. What do you say to the person who has trusted Christ as his Savior, but faces the awesome “fire” of guilt and condemnation? What do you tell the man or woman who is convinced that sooner or later God is going to get them back – that He is going to punish them for their failure? The breathtaking truth of the gospel is that you and I are standing where the fire has already been.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul says over and over that we are “in Christ.” There are many implications of this, but none more exciting than Ephesians 2:4-7:

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

1 Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.”

Is there punishment for sin? Yes!

Are the wages of sin still death? Yes!

Is God still holy? Yes!

But the truth of the gospel is that all of God’s wrath for all sin fell upon His sinless Son on the cross. And the death the Jesus died once satisfied the justice of God for all eternity. Now, by virtue of your relationship with Him, you are standing where the wrath has already been.

That’s what it means to be forgiven.

One of the greatest of the ancient Greek poets was Aeschylus. His brother had been convicted of a crime for which he would certainly face the death penalty. The jury assembled and prepared to assess the ultimate penalty, when Aeschylus came before them. This beloved poet was not only known for his writing, but for his service to Athens ‑ he had lost an arm when fighting with the Greek army in their victory over the Persians at Salamis. As Aeschylus stood before the jury which was about to sentence his brother to death, he said nothing, but slowly pulled back his robe to reveal the place where his arm had once been. Moved by his sacrifice for Greece, the jury voted to release his brother.

In the same way, Jesus’ wounds are the basis for our forgiveness. As Isaiah 53:5 says, “with his stripes we are healed.”

“I, even I,” the Lord says, “am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more” (Isaiah 43:25).

If He has forgotten them, don’t you think you can, too?

That’s what it means to be forgiven.

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Moving at the Speed of Life

Andy Wood — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:28:36 +0000

This image disturbs me on many levels.

Yeah, it really does get faster and faster. There are more birthdays to remember (or forget).

(Let’s see… when was my son-in-law’s? Today? Tomorrow?)

I’m definitely Moving at the Speed of Life.

There are more demands – many of them self-imposed. I’m at that point in life where I know I can get more done – just sleep an hour less or (my favorite) multi-task. After all, time’s wasting! I’m smarter now than I’ve ever been, I have lots of unfinished business, and I can sleep when I’m dead.

Right?

Just keep Moving at the Speed of Life.

There are more opportunities or distractions, depending on how you interpret them. I’m at a point in my life where I am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities I have and, truth be told, a little scared to say no when another one presents itself. I’m old and scarred enough to recognize there are no guarantees, and still young enough to say yes when the right ones come along.

I only get one of these, and I’m still Moving at the Speed of Life.

Stop.

Think.

(Okay, who said “Tylenol?”)

Yank the cord, slam on the brakes, and wait a minute.

Is movement the only way you gauge the value of your life? Is activity or income or to-lists or productions or fulfilling somebody else’s expectations the only way to keep score?

I’m pretty sure you know the answer to that.

Not All Worthwhile Movement is Fast.

This is more like it.

Sometimes Moving at the Speed of Life is a slow dance. Or a trip to the back porch or the balcony or the pond. Sometimes it really does mean saying no to the temptation to hurry so you can listen to the doves and try to figure out what the blackbirds did to get the blue jays so upset. (Hmmm… maybe what has them upset is the tempting, swirling yellow tail of Thomas G. Glavine, the deadly cat.)

Sorry. Where was I?

Trees have rings because life has seasons of movement – some fast, some slow. And those trees that live for a long time learn to flow and grow whatever the season. So should you.

Not All Motion is Movement.

Sometimes the greatest progress can be found in the stillness and the quiet of time spent in prayer, or listening for the gentle whispers of your Heavenly Father, Friend, and Comforter. After all, whatever the speed at which life carries you, the destination is clear – you and I are headed for eternity.

Some people say this is the dress rehearsal. I disagree. You may have a lot of learning and do-overs, but there is too much at stake to pretend that this life is just a practice session of some sort. The clock is ticking, eternity is calling. This is real life. But the whole point of eternal life is not to live a long time. It’s to share that life with your Creator and Redeemer.

This isn’t a dress rehearsal. It’s a down payment. And you can’t move well at the speed of life until you recognize where the speed of life is pointing.

You and Me, Them and Us

Sorry to interrupt your fantasies of solo flight, but what gives moving at the speed of life its character and texture is the fact that you aren’t moving alone. There’s a you-and-me, them-and-us rhythm to life that adds significance and the potential for great, great joy.

Pity the fool who flies through life in pursuit of something called success, and has no one to share it with, or no one to enjoy the ride with.

Pity even more the fool whose pursuit of pleasure leaves him wasted and loveless – a consumer and user, but so, so lonely.

Moving at the speed of life means learning to move together. Sometimes fast. Sometimes slow. Always together. Always thoughtful. Aware, even when apart. Listening and talking. Waiting and hurrying. But always engaged on some level.

Guides for the Journey

The good news about moving at the speed of life is that you aren’t left to your own devices and wisdom. You have guides along the way. Some are your “Friends in High Places” – those saints who have gone before you who leave a lasting legacy of faith and wisdom. Some are those personal guides who can teach you lessons, warn you of danger, encourage you to keep going, or challenge you to take that leap of faith.

Be prepared. Your guides may show up in places where you least expect them. Teachers often get wisdom from students. Complete strangers may sometimes speak as with the voice of God. And children? Well, let’s just say they have a way of completely redefining what we know as truth for those who have ears to hear.

Then there are those mentors-for-life. The men or women we look to over the long haul who can always help us find direction or wisdom, protection or peace. More importantly, they are available and willing to help us by giving us a part of their time – their lives – to make sense of ours.

Yeah, it really does get faster and faster. But Moving at the Speed of Life can also get richer and richer if you let it. When you recognize the season you’re in and adjust accordingly, remember your direction, relate faithfully and consistently and respect the wisdom of your fellow travelers, you’re in for quite a ride.

There really is joy in the journey.

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Non-Servant Non-Leadership

Andy Wood — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:47:49 +0000

Friday I was on my way to Virginia to make a presentation at a Servant Leadership conference. So I guess it was safe to say I had leading-by-serving on the brain…

I walk up to the ticket counter of the Dallas-based airline that will remain nameless (though I will point out that they don’t advertise that bags fly free).

Next to me is a fellow traveler who was trying to check her two bags. Here is the gist of the conversation…

Agent: That’ll be $60.00

Customer: Oh… Is there an ATM machine close by?

Agent: Hmmm. There used to be one, but I think they moved it to the other side of security.

Customer: Well I guess I’ll need to go through security and get some cash.

Agent: You have to have a boarding pass.

Customer: I have a boarding pass.

Agent: Yes, but you can’t take your bags through security.

Customer: But how can I get the cash if I can’t get through security?

Agent: You’ll need some other method of payment.

Customer: All I can do is pay cash.

Agent: Oh, we take cash.

Customer: But how can I get to the ATM machine?

Agent: You have to have a boarding pass.

Customer: I HAVE a boarding pass.

Agent: But you can’t go through security with your bags.

Customer: So can I leave them here for a minute?

Agent: No you can’t leave them. I have no idea what you have in there. (Side note: the TSA x-ray people were 10 feet away.)

Customer: So what you’re saying is that I can’t make my fight?

Agent: It’s not my job to provide you an ATM machine.

That’s the point where my business was done and I walked off, leaving a bewildered traveler and an oh-so-correct ticket agent who I feel quite sure never once felt the angst created by a system that deceived people as to the real cost of that ticket – all for the sake of making money (airlines made a combined $1.6 billion in added fees last year). Not once did he acknowledge his company’s role in creating the problem or himself or his company as part of the solution.

He was no leader. Heck, he wasn’t even much of a servant. But he could go home knowing he was correct.

I’ve had a couple of days to replay that scenario in my head. I know the agent had a job to do, though I’m quite sure insulting a customer about her bag contents and watching her twist in the wind of an impossible-looking solution wasn’t in his description. I just wonder if…

Maybe There Was a Servant Solution

Maybe he could have gently pressed in to explain to the obviously-inexperienced flyer that they could, indeed, take her ATM card for payment. She didn’t make it clear why getting cash was so important.

Maybe he could have paid it himself out of his own pocket – risking that she would do right by him and go get the cash and bring it back. Certainly above and way beyond the call of his duty, but why not?

Short of being allowed to make such a grand gesture, maybe he could have at least acted apologetic or sorry for the dilemma she faced.

What would you do that I haven’t thought of?

Maybe There Was a Leadership Solution

Maybe his still-in-bankruptcy-and-I-think-I-know-why airline could have empowered him to waive the fees in certain circumstances.

Maybe they would have negotiated a plan with the TSA for cases like this – to x-ray and watch the bags for a limited time.

Maybe they could have negotiated with the same or a different bank for an ATM machine, or set up their own system for such things at the counter.

Maybe they could have established a system in the first place that doesn’t ask travelers to pay three times for a round trip ticket when they’re checking bags. Here’s a radical idea – why not build the cost of two bags into the price of the ticket and offer refunds or vouchers at the gate for every bag they DON’T check? Then not only can travelers compare apples to apples for shopping for flights, but they can skip down the jet bridge with $30-60 in their pocket and good feelings about flying the unfriendly skies.

Would else could the airline or local leadership have done? What would you do that I haven’t thought of?

Maybe There Was a Servant Leadership Solution

As I passed through security, still indignant about what I had just witnessed, I suddenly was convicted.

I. Just. Blew. It.

I was on my self-righteous mental high-horse about how a ticket agent and his did-I-mention-they-are-bankrupt employer were insensitive and unprepared to deal with such a scenario. And I was so distracted with my own huffing and puffing, I was blind to the fact that I could have been her solution. I had three different ways I could have helped her while I stood there and did nothing. I didn’t have a right to criticize somebody for not thinking about doing was I also didn’t think to do.

Just because it wasn’t my job didn’t mean it wasn’t my opportunity.

Just because it’s an abusive and deceptive practice (is my attitude leaking?) doesn’t mean I am powerless to be a small light in the darkness.

Just because I wasn’t a corporate manager didn’t mean I couldn’t be a servant leader.

And I failed.

Sigh… what to now? Do I really want to circle back around and have to go through security again? Just as I decided that I’d do it, I saw my fellow traveler coming through security herself. Somehow she made it.

In spite of them.

In spite of their money-leeching policies.

In spite of my self-righteous neglect.

Memo to my foggy brain: The next time you hear someone use the words “it’s not my job” maybe you should assume it’s yours.

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world. It was time for him to go to the Father. Jesus loved his disciples who were in the world. So he now showed them how much he really loved them…So he got up from the meal and took off his outer clothes. He wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a large bowl. Then he began to wash his disciples’ feet. He dried them with the towel that was wrapped around him (John 13:1-5 NIRV).

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Is There Not a Cause?

Andy Wood — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:00:48 +0000

Watch the video, then let’s talk (yeah, that’s me doing the voiceover).

Here’s a bit of thoughtful Bible trivia for you: what was it that enabled David to kill the giant, Goliath?

There are a number of possible answers, of course. A rock in the middle of the forehead was certainly helpful. David’s faith in God was essential. His skill and courage were an asset.

But I believe there was one catalyst that made David stand out among the armies of Israel. In a badly-translated King James verse, David asked his brother, “Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29).

Okay, so that verse doesn’t actually point to it (actual translation: “Can’t I just talk?”), but David’s life and actions certainly did. This Philistine had defied the armies of the God of Israel, and their only reaction was to tremble in fear. These men saw no cause worth dying for, no purpose worth risking everything for. And when David came along, they accused him of being a mischievous busybody.

You may not be facing a nine-foot Philistine, but you face the danger of being just as afraid or just as paralyzed as the armies of Israel. We live in a generation that seems at a loss for a cause – for a reason to risk, and even to die if necessary. And the question of David still speaks to us today:

Is there not a cause? Is there not a reason to sacrifice our energy, time and money? Is there not a purpose that is worth being misunderstood for? Is there not an ideal that can motivate us to draw a line in the sand and say, “Here we stand!”?

One of the marvels of the business world has spent a lot of time talking about the importance of being a crusader for a cause. He defines a crusade as something that is bigger than we are – a cause with an impact that reaches beyond your personal needs and wants. “Much of the progress in our country,” he says, “has come from men and women who had more than a business – they had a crusade to make a better product, a cheaper product, a product that made life easier or more pleasant.”

What is true in the business world is also true in Christendom. Those individuals and churches who rise above the level of mediocrity all seem to have this one essential quality. They have a well-defined purpose that motivates them, that unifies them, that directs them, and that at times may cause others on the outside to misunderstand them. But they stay true to their purpose – to their cause – in spite of the opinions or criticism of others.

On the other hand, the arena in which our generation moves is littered and lined with people and organizations who have lost their purpose. The epitaphs of many a church or business has been written by complacent fat cats and kittens who are still doing the same old things; they just can’t remember why. Their only cause is situational; their only commitment is their own narrowly-defined interests and traditions.

I have stood open-mouthed as highly-respected people in more than one church made statements such as these:

“I know what the Bible says, but this is how we do it here.”

“As long as this building stands until I’m up the hill (in the cemetery), I like it just the way it is.”

“I’m tired of all these outsiders (new members) coming in here trying to take over our church!”

“You know, you’d probably get more support if you weren’t always insisting on preaching that `Jesus is Lord’ stuff.”

These weren’t pagans or church wallflowers. They were heavyweights – highly visible people in positions of leadership and influence! All of whom have wondered over the years why their children and grandchildren just don’t seem to be as committed to Christ and the church as they think they are.

Is there not a cause? Unfortunately, for the comfortable, the answer is often, “No. There is just convenience.”

So if you’re interested in slaying the giants and insisting that the Lord still has His ideals, you’d better get ready. Your noisiest opposition won’t be from the Philistines. It will be from the trembling armies of sleeping saints would rather live in the bondage of mediocrity or tradition than die free.

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When Napoleon Met Dynamite

Andy Wood — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:32:50 +0000

When the armies of Napoleon swept over Europe, one of his generals intended to make an attack on the little town of Feldrich on the Austrian border. It was Easter, and as Napoleon’s great army maneuvered nearby, the citizens hurried together to decide whether to surrender or to attempt a defense, futile as it seemed the effort would be.

The pastor of the church remarked, “We have been counting on our own strength, and that will fail. This is the day of our Lord’s resurrection. Let us ring the bells and have service as usual, and leave the matter in God’s hands.” The council accepted his plan, and in a few minutes the bells were chiming out joy over their Lord’s resurrection.

Napoleon’s army misunderstood the meaning of the ringing bells, decided they were announcing the arrival of Austrian reinforcements, broke camp and retreated from the area as fast as possible! God honored those who worshipped the risen Christ even in the presence of possible death, and used their worship to drive away the enemy!

An old book title says it well: There’s Dynamite in Praise!

If there is any greater untapped resource than prayer among God’s people today, it is praise. It was through praise that the armies of Jehoshaphat conquered the invading armies (2 Chronicles 20). It is through praise that we are instructed to enter into the presence of God (Psalm 100). Through the midnight praise of Paul and Silas, (Acts 16:25-26), the prison doors were opened, chains were released, and an entire family was saved.

“Praise is the greatest work God’s children can ever do,” says Watchman Nee. “It is the loftiest expression the saints can ever show. The highest manifestation of spiritual life is seen in men praising God. Though the throne of God is the heart of the universe, it is nonetheless established on the praise of the children of God. God’s name is exalted through praise. There is nothing a Christian can offer which surpasses praise.”

An old cliche says that we become like that which we constantly admire. Nowhere is that more true than in your spiritual life. If you and I are going to fall in love with the things of God, we must spend quality time in real worship.

I didn’t say church, though that is important. I said worship.

The words to an old hymn, written by J.S.B. Monsell in the last century, expresses the spirit of true worship.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
Gold of obedience and incense of lowliness
Bring, and adore Him; the Lord is His name!

Low at His feet lay thy burden of carefulness
High on His heart He will bear it for thee,
Comfort thy sorrows, and answer they prayerfulness,
Guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter His courts, in the slenderness
Of the poor wealth thou canst reckon as thine;
Truth in its beauty and love in its tenderness,
These are the offerings to lay on His shrine.

These though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,
He will accept for the Name that is dear,
Mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,
Trust for our trembling, and hope for our fear.

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Leadership and Opportunity

Andy Wood — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:56:59 +0000

Pssst.

Over here.

I have something you need to see.

I’m not showing it to anybody else yet because I wanted you to be the first to take advantage of it. But next week it goes public. And this won’t be a secret for very long. This is a once-in-a lifetime…

(wait for it…)

…yeah, that.

Opportunity. It’s an often-used, sometimes over-used concept. Americans throw it around as if we own the copyright to the term. You can see and hear it everywhere…

Opportunity meeting.

Opportunities wasted.

Opportunity of a lifetime (followed by another one next month).

Land of opportunity.

Despite our temptation to take a cynical cliché bath, however, there is a reason the word forms such an important part of our lives. It’s in the face of opportunity that industries are created, life-changing decisions are made, and culture-shaping movements are started.

It’s in the face of opportunity that leaders often arise.

Jesus, the greatest leader of all time demonstrated this. But you don’t find the word “opportunity” in the gospels. The gospel of John uses another term – “the hour.”

Before Jesus turned water into wine, his mother approached him with an itsy bitsy problem – a week-long wedding feast had just run out of wine. Bad form in that culture – really embarrassing to the host. Jesus’ reply at that point:

“My hour has not yet come.”

Although He did turn the water into wine, keeping the bridesmaids buzzed or the guests entertained wasn’t the opportunity that defined Him.

Later, John records that “the hour” – the opportunity – did arrive, and you know what Jesus did? He cleaned the street from His disciples’ feet. Then proceeded to give His life to conquer sin and the grave.

What Opportunity is Made Of

In the crucible of opportunity, every leader’s decision is magnified in importance. These opportunities are formed when three factors converge:

1. Urgency – a situation requiring something to be done soon.

2. Crisis – a time of intense difficulty, trouble or risk.

3. Potential – increased receptivity to, and possibility of, dramatic favorable change.

This was the situation Jesus knew himself to be when he washed the disciples’ feet. It’s also the situation many great leaders have confronted, out of which their leadership emerged.

All three factors are important, and that’s why the term gets watered down. Somebody wants to talk to you about an “awesome opportunity.” And sure, maybe the potential is there. But there is no sense of urgency or crisis, therefore the “opportunity” isn’t calling for decisive action or courage. Translation: It may be a nice idea, but hardly an “opportunity of a lifetime.”

What Leaders are Made Of in Times of Opportunity

So when these forces – urgency, crisis, and potential – converge, what do leaders do? What distinguishes them from followers?

1. Vision.

Leaders are alert to what’s happening. They see what others can’t or won’t. They see what is happening, what could happen, and what will happen if they don’t take action.

2. Decisiveness.

Leaders aren’t afraid to make a decision – even when it’s unorthodox, unprecedented, or in the moment unsupported. They act on their vision, even when the intelligentsia or the conventional thinkers call them crazy.

3. Servanthood.

You read that right. Leaders, in the face of opportunity, forge new ways to serve. They serve the public. They serve the planet. They serve their employees or family or friends. In fact, they serve everyone else first, and save themselves for last. Show me somebody with a title or position who uses it to serve himself first, I’ll show you somebody who’s an opportunist – but no leader.

4. Mobilization.

This is what distinguishes leaders from pioneers or tinkerers. Leaders not only serve the needs in front of them, they mobilize their followers to do the same. That foot-washing episode I mentioned earlier? Yes, it was an act of servanthood, but that’s only half the story. It was also a phenomenal act of leadership. It only happened once, but that’s all it took. Through washing their feet, Jesus began the process of unleashing army of spiritual leaders who changed the world.

Crisis, urgency, and remarkable potential always present moments of truth that can change people, leaders included. Are you willing to look beyond what others see? Are you willing to take action while everyone else sleeps? Are you willing to serve when others wish to be served? Are you willing to gather a tribe, an army, a team to multiply your efforts?

That’s what leaders do when opportunities show up.

And your opportunity may be just around the corner.

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A Song You Can Sing Forever

Andy Wood — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:34:14 +0000

You don’t have to read through this site very long to figure out that music flavors a lot of my thinking. I often tell people that I almost always have a song on my mind, and it’s often very random. (I’d rather not tell you what song is there right now, but it does have the phrase “freakin weekend” in it).

Hey, I never said they were all spiritual.

Anyway…

Like a lot of people, I love the idea of new ways of expressing things – of what the Bible calls “singing a new song to the Lord.” And I get tired pretty quickly of rehashing the same-old same-old.

That said, there are some songs that defy time and never seem to lose their place in the hearts of people. They may not be on this week’s Billboard Top 100, but they never lose their ability to capture the imagination and connect to the soul. They’re the songs we can sing forever.

For example, my grandmother absolutely loved music. She loved to sing it, play it, and hear it. But something completely changed in her countenance when somebody started in on “Amazing Grace.” It was a song she could sing forever.

I don’t know why, but my mother would morph into a silly schoolgirl again whenever somebody played Eddy Arnold’s “Anytime” on the stereo. She wasn’t much of a singer, but this was a song she could at least hear forever.

Many classical music fans would say the same thing about the “Hallelujah Chorus” or Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Popular music of every generation has some lesser representations of that, and I’m sure you have your own.

The Bible also hints at such things. The verses describing worship in heaven in Revelation hint at themes around the throne of God that people never seem to tire of singing. And no matter how much we may want to crow about something new and different, we seem to return again and again to Psalm 23 – even though most of us have never even touched a sheep, much less shepherded one. Yet “The Lord is my shepherd” is something our hearts seem to resonate with more and more as we age, for some reason. For those who walk with Christ, it’s a song we can sing forever.

What is it about those high-impact expressions of love, worship, passion or desire that connect on such a profound level? Why should it matter, and why should you care?

Last question first: It matters and you should care because you were born with a heart to worship. I mean that in the religious sense of the word, but also in the sense of “declaring the worth” of something or someone. Yes, Jesus is the object of our highest praise. But hearts created to love and value great truth, themes and people can find in their Forever Songs important declarations of belief, yearnings of the heart, and expressions of highest values. There’s a reason these are the songs we can sing forever.

So what are these Forever Songs like? What do they seem to have in common?

Start with creativity. Songs you can sing forever have a unique way of capturing the essence of a thought, feeling, or desire. They aren’t weird – just fresh expressions of phrases and rhythm and melody. Often the idea is profoundly simple, yet layered with rich emotion. Have you listened to “You are So Beautiful” or “I Will Always Love You” lately? Whatever you think of the singers, the songs are uniquely, creatively simple.

A Forever Song is nearly always a declaration of worth – God’s or somebody’s. Nobody sings songs about misery and pain forever… only for a season. Forever Songs express heartfelt value, appreciation, adoration, or respect. Passion is there too, but it’s more of a passion for a lifetime, not passion for the moment.

Forever Songs often capture a metaphor that resonates with the heart. “I once was lost but now I’m found, Was blind but now I see” does that. So do phrases that have the mountains spell your name or your Shepherd leading you beside quiet waters. They poetically capture the depths of relationships or the desires and the imagination of the singer in one or two short phrases.

Forever Songs have a way of expressing human shortcomings or need, even as they boldly express feelings. “Amazing Grace” ends with 10,000 years being just a good start on praising God. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” faithfully connects with friends who are down and out – can you relate?

Forever Songs capture elements we all want to hold onto forever. Love, beauty, happiness/joy, truth, understanding are themes you find again and again in those songs. Why? Because Forever Songs celebrate something or Someone, and you were born to celebrate.

Forever Songs also have an overcoming theme in them, too. The amazing grace of God overcomes the wretched sinner I once was. “Anytime” promises to come back – overcoming the ugliness and forgiving the separation between two people. And what else could be said about the “Hallelujah Chorus?”

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth…

And He shall reign forever and ever.

When it’s time to retrace the points again on your life compass, or to reconnect again with who or what matters most, go back to your Forever Songs. It’s a pretty safe bet you won’t be singing about a freakin’ weekend. But you will be celebrating who you adore, what you believe, and why you were put on this planet in the first place.