Leadership 101 from God

The other night I went to a "Leadership Tour" event with some of the pastors from our church. I sat and listened as attentively as my ADD would allow (which means I played on my phone some as the speaker spoke). I quickly realized it was going to be an advertisement for a missions project. There is nothing wrong with informing people about missions projects, but not at a leadership tour. It really frustrated me that I came for one thing and got another. I prayed through and the anger was gone. I think my disappointment was because I am always looking for leadership tidbits. Well, I started reading the book of Joshua today. Low and behold, God was giving Joshua a lesson on leadership in the first chapter. Here are some of my thoughts on it.

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1: 6-9

This is the word that God gave to Joshua just after Moses died. He was left in charge of a weary group of people, the Hebrew nation. They had been wandering for a generation without a home. He was given the keys to the army and the reins to his people now what was he supposed to do. Well, God told him what to do.

It is a lesson on leadership straight to Joshua. First, be strong and courageous. Often, leaders get placed into situations they are not completely comfortable with and they panic or clam up. They let stuff ride for fear that we may offend someone. They let fear of confrontation override a vision that God has given them. Leaders must remember to stick to the convictions God gave them. Can you imagine if Joshua had said, "we need to wait and not cross the Jordan because some people will think that is disrespectful to Moses"? It would have cost them another generation of wandering.

Then, God told Joshua do the right things according to the law. He wanted him to know, in kid's pastor speak, make good choices. It is a sad commentary that leaders have to be reminded of this, but they are human. Making the right choices or following the law set up by God creates opportunities to be blessed. Generally, if you aren't doing anything stupid then you can't be brought down by something stupid. If you do the right things (i.e. work hard, respect people, etc.) then you will have good things happen. If you don't do stupid stuff on top of doing the right things you can succeed. This isn't just a Biblical truth it is just the way it is. Does this mean you will be rich? No. It does mean you can be successful at whatever you try to do whether it be teaching kids, being a good parent, or being a good spouse.

Then God reminds Joshua how he started. He says be strong and courageous. God is with him. I think we have to remember that in all our decisions as we move forward with anything we do. Be strong and courageous. God gave you this vision now take his people there because he is with you. This was God's lesson on leadership to Joshua. Today, it was God's lesson on leadership to me.

Pondering after a trip to the park

So, I went to the park with my kids, Scout and Cooper, after I got home from work. It was beautiful outside. The sky was blue about 75 degrees with a slight breeze and kids were playing, really a perfect afternoon after work. I looked around and thought, hey I am the only Dad here". I was astonished by that. I mean it is the twenty-first century. There is numerous research articles about how kids get screwed up when dads blow off their kids. You have one article I read that talks about daughters starting periods later because of better father relationships. (God, I have to make sure Scout and I have a great relationship.) Another one I read said that when a Dad checks homework even periodically the child does better in school. My dad never checked my homework. I know everyone can tell. It is one article after the next article after and still I was the only Dad there at the park today. I know guys have to work. I know we are busy and tired. I understand men are stressed but I spent a total of 45 minutes at the park watching my kids play. I spent time pushing my kids on the swings. I stood underneath them for a spot as they went across the monkey bars. It was fun.

I know many dad's will say, "Hey I spend time with my kids. I coach her team or take him to karate". Do we really take time and spend with them in environments where it is fun and no one is pressured? Create those. Today, it was special for so many reasons. The main was just cause I got to hang out with my 2 favorite kids. Hey, and I know a lot of kids.

Starting

I wanted to start a blog as a new years resolution. I figured today would be as good as any to get started because January is half over. I have been here at our new church now for nearly 2 months. The excitement is still going strong. I think my family settling into routines and making friends. It is a wonderful time to be at our house. As hard as it is to move, I think there is something very cool about starting new. Get to meet new people and have fresh experiences. It feels like you have no limitations. I can do anything and propose anything and it feels like it will work and get accepted.

Is this what new Christians feel like? They find something new in their lives. They feel like they can do anything because of this new relationship they have. They have found a fresh dose of empowerment in their lives. How often do Christians get beaten down by being a Christian?

I have always said I have an issue with people that get burned out by doing the thing God has put a passion in their lives for. I don't think I ever read in the Bible where Paul got burned out from doing ministry? Or Peter needing to take a break from church because he had to much going on?

Boy this blog is moving all over the place. I guess that is what is going on in my head. Always scatter shooting. Just a few thoughts.... Go Cowboys beat the Vikings!