The biggest obstacle for reconciliation of fractured relationships is selfishness. A husband and wife let bitterness build a wall between them so they won’t talk or allow anger to drive them apart. Hardened hearts cause selfishness and becomes the wedge to break up relationships, including marriages, families and churches. A peacemaker takes advantage of timing, integrity,…
Returning from a vision tour of Costa Rica, I reflected a great deal on what I saw and how it impacts my life in Lincoln. A short-term mission trip allows one to be an eyewitness of God’s supernatural working to deepen your appreciation and study of the Scriptures. As a result, you have a greater…
I just back from a vision tour of Christ For the City’s (CFCI) ministries in Costa Rica, the reason for not writing a blog post this past week. One of CFCI’s projects is “Transformations,” a multi-faceted ministry located in the San Jose slum of Guararí where drugs, prostitution, and gangs are rampant. Transformations is dedicated…
Leadership training often focuses on skills, not developing spiritual character qualities. The first priority for successful leadership is spiritual or obedience to God, not learning techniques of delegating, coaching or time management. After character, interpersonal skills is second in importance. Knowing what, when and how to speak comes out of a heart that is filled…
Nothing hurts more than fractured relationships with family members or close friends. A ministry partner went behind my back to undermine my ministry. I was devastated. God used similar principles in reconciling my relationship with this individual as He used in reconciling Joseph with his brothers who had sold him into slavery. God sovereignly arranged…
Fear and doubt are the two main reasons why people don’t share the gospel with others. You fear that people will think you are a religious fanatic if you share the gospel with them. You doubt that the gospel makes a difference in someone’s life so you keep quiet. Supernatural signs including life transformation and…
Words can hurt. Unkind remarks cut like a sword. It’s easy to lose confidence when people make you look bad. Guilt causes you to question whether your actions made people respond in hurtful ways towards you. God doesn’t leave you defenseless, but always available to help. Description of EnemiesLeaders or judges on earth with unrighteous…
How do you select and nurture leaders? They aren’t chosen solely on experience and competence. Anyone working for an organization knows that certain people get promoted and others even more qualified get passed over. Various situational factors encourage leadership opportunities to emerge. Good physical appearance, pleasing personality, servant heart and timing all work together. Saul…
Fractured relationships occur in families, churches and businesses. Husband and wives selfishly try to get their own way or become self-sufficient, which if not checked, leads to emotional or physical divorce. A parent shows favoritism to a son or daughter and the less favored sibling experiences deep hurt and isolation. A pastor and his church…
Our society rewards glitz and glamour. We live in an impatient society. Enron’s “creative” accounting practices show that companies often look for short-term profits instead of long-term health and sustainability. Employees get promoted based on image and style instead of character and substance. Movie stars get publicity because of their looks and wild lifestyle, not…
Fear or faith, what do you choose? These are two basic responses to life. Fear leads to complaint. Faith leads to praise. Fear causes stumbling. Faith causes deliverance. Fear produces defeat. Faith produces victory. Fear leads to death. Faith leads to life. Fear focuses on self. Faith focuses on and exalts God. When people attack and fight you…
Many people today download their personal responsibilities to institutions and leaders. People expect government to deliver human services instead of the church, but that’s beginning to change because of budget cuts. It’s common for church members to rely on Sunday school classes and youth pastors to spiritually raise their children. Adults often let pastors and…