The Gift of YOU

     The holiday season is almost here and everyone’s first discussion around that topic seems to be how busy, busy, busy they are getting.  One of my wife’s favorite quotes is… “If Satan can’t make you bad, he will make you busy.”   It can get that way – too busy to take time for God; too busy to slow down and listen to your children, to your spouse, or a friend or coworker who needs to talk; too busy planning holiday events to give time helping to serve at church.   Let’s not allow ourselves to get so busy that we forget about what and who is truly important. 

     I want to urge you to consider God with your gift giving this year.  Yes, God.

Consider THIS:  Give God the gift of YOU.

     Let Go… and let God direct your life and ministry.  Let HIS thoughts become your thoughts, HIS desires become your desires, and HIS passions become your passions.  Begin thinking a new way – how can I grow people. 

    You probably have heard of living a purpose driven life – well, we need to be SERVANT DRIVEN as well.

“The greatest among you will be your servant.”

                     ~ Matthew 23:11

  The challenge is to empty our cup so God can fill it with His servant Spirit.  Let us move our motto from, “Give me!” to “Here I am, USE ME!”

  Ray Fulenwider wrote an amazing prayer…

The SERVANT’S PRAYER for the 21^st Century

Lord, there will be times when I don’t have enough time

--help me to make the time to serve.

Lord, there will be times when I have enough cares of my own

--help me to tenderly care for others as you do.

Lord, there will be times when I’ve given all I have to give

--help me to keep on giving more.

  “A new command I give you: LOVE ONE ANOTHER”

                             ~ John 13:34

       Jesus not only taught us to love one another, but He practiced it.  He challenges us to put these examples into practice in our own lives.  We are challenged with the daunting task of moving people from years of self-centeredness and selfishness into givers and care givers of others.  This means practice, training, learning, growing, loving, and caring become YOUR essential characteristics. 

  –The servant will desire to do God’s work in God’s way for God’s glory. --

 Have a Great Week!

Rick

HOPE THAT IS LIVED IS HOPE THAT IS ALIVE

Part 2 - STEPPING OUT OF THE SHADOW OF FEAR INTO THE LIGHT OF HOPE

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? ~ Psalm 56:3-4

               In my previous blog I was sharing that it is possible to step out of the shadow of fear and walk in the light of Hope.  Today I want to continue with this journey by helping us to see how we can live and walk in the light of Hope and that we are not alone in this journey.

REMEMBER THIS AMAZING FACT: HOPE THAT IS LIVED IS HOPE THAT IS ALIVE

               Have you wrestled with the frustration of being so wrapped up with your past, your pain, or your poor attitude that you fail to realize that if you choose to have HOPE that is LIVED in your life that your life is HOPE THAT IS ALIVE?  People are compelled and drawn to those around them that have an unquenchable hope that is real and not a facade.  It is the type of HOPE that can light the flame, restore the passion, rejuvenate the heart, and transform the mind into an entirely brand new life.

·        HOPE ATTITUDE:  Holding On Praying Expectantly 

Our OUTLOOK depends upon our INLOOK and UPLOOK!

Picture of Apostle Paul's UPLOOK in Philippians 1:12-14...
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."

I am reminded of Gandhi's words, 'My Life is my message'.

GOD WANTS TO BE YOUR UPLOOK -- SO...

Remember:  GOD is OUR LIGHT TO GUIDE and STRENGTH TO GROW!

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

Remember: GOD is OUR COMPANION and LIFE LIFTER!

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Remember:  GOD gives us a NEW SPIRIT OF HIS POWER, HIS LOVE, and HIS SELF-DISCIPLINE!

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

2 Timothy 1:7

If you live your life afraid because you're afraid to live, then you live no life at all.
-Unknown

               I know that the Spirit of God gives me everything I need to turn my discouraging fear into determined hope.  The Apostle Paul in his letter to the people at Corinth reminded them and us that..."we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Corinthians 4:7-11).

               Perhaps we find ourselves living a fearless life, more than capable of becoming the people God meant for us to be and still wants us to become.  Mark Twain gives a wonderful reminder when he said...

“20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover”

~ Mark Twain

 Live HOPE!

STEPPING OUT OF THE SHADOW OF FEAR INTO THE LIGHT OF HOPE

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? -- Psalm 56:3-4

Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Percentage of Americans with Phobias (Fears):
              

SOCIAL PHOBIA - Approximately 5.3 million American adults ages 18 to 54, or about 3.7 percent of people in this age group, have social phobia.

AGORAPHOBIA - Agoraphobia involves intense fear of any place or situation where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in the event of developing sudden panic-like symptoms.  Approximately 3.2 million American adults ages 18 to 54, or about 2.2 percent of people in this age group have agoraphobia.

SPECIFIC PHOBIA - Specific phobia involves marked and persistent fear and avoidance of a specific object or situation.  Approximately 6.3 million American adults ages 18 to 54, or about 4.4 percent of people in this age group in a given year, have some type of specific phobia."

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

               How long have you found yourself taking up residency by living your life in the shadow of fear?  Fear can be such a fascinating field of study.  It not only deals with the phobias listed above, but also involves the fear of the unknown, being unsure, or being indecisive about what you are doing and what you should be doing with your life.

               The truth I have found, learned, lived and want to pass on is that there is no fear that can cripple those individuals who claim Jesus as the Lord of their lives.  There is no fear for the man, woman, or young adult who lives a life of faith, trust, and devotion to the Written and Living Word of God.

                                            Don’t give up – God has a plan for you!

               God says...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

Jeremiah 29:11

               Jeremiah 29:11 has long been one of my favorite verses in the Bible.  It is also one verse that is right in the middle of a situation when God disciplined His children.  The book of Jeremiah was written in exile. The Israelites were in an exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. They were hopeless. They did not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Why? 

               God had disciplined them because they were disobedient to Him and had turned their attention or worship to false gods. We read In Jeremiah 29:11 “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.”  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

               God says in our most difficult of circumstances and our greatest fears...“I have a plan for you.”

          Have you been in a situation like this where there is no way out? Where it seems hopeless?

CHALLENGE:  Develop a new definition of fear!

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF -- MOVING FROM YOUR FEARS TO HOPES...

·        CURRENT ATTITUDE:   False Expectations Appearing Real

QUESTION: What is a fear that has invaded your mind and consumed a great deal of time and energy from your life?  However, in retrospect was it a fabrication constructed from past experiences, expectations, and assumptions creating the paranoia of a possible reality on the horizon that never materializes?

·        NEW ATTITUDE: Face Everything And Rejoice

QUESTION:  When was the last time you were able to come face-to-face with a fear, concern, or anxiety where you managed to perceive that fear as an enemy of the mind and resolved to turn the inward feelings of discouragement to an outward faithfulness of rejoicing?

·        FUTURE ATTITUDE: Forget Everything And Remember

 “We are all here for some special reason. Stop being a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future.” – Robin Sharma

QUESTION:  Have you held on to an area of your life, whether past or current life, that has shackled your life down with way too much excess baggage that needs to be lifted off the mind or heart?

               Doing an inventory of genuine items that have plagued you with mental pain, physical ailments, and/or crippled current relationships is the first step to bring resolve, recovery, and the ability to remember that God has not disowned you, nor has He forgotten about you -- In fact you are on His mind and He wants you to desperately let go of the past and remember Him, rejoice in Him, and know that He is your source of renewal for a fresh start and new life.

Next blog...part 2 - HOPE THAT IS LIVED IS HOPE THAT IS ALIVE

INSIDE - OUT

CHARACTER Mini-Summit  Continued

                                                                                      

               A decision to grow Inside means that others can grow from our Outside.

“True, genuine, sustainable growth is an inside job.”

-Rick Clark

• WHO WE BELONG TO!

Inside – Attitude of the mind and heart.  Rom 15:4-6; Ephesians 4:23

Apostle Paul said in Romans 15:4-6, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,…”  He also challenged us in Ephesians 4:23…to be made new in the attitude of your minds;…’. 

Imagine the next time when you wake up and you stop and give God the chance to fill your mind and heart with His Word.  Imagine the difference you will make to anyone who comes into contact with you and the impact you will leave upon their own minds and hearts…all because you said that this day’s attitude belongs to God and I will live out His attitude in all circumstances.

• WHO PEOPLE SEE WE BELONG TO!

Outside - Actions - 1 John 3:18

          Ask yourself ‘what does it take for me to do the activity of God during the day?’  How would your day be different if you said I will act and allow all my responses and activity to reflect God.  To resemble the lifestyle of someone who is changed by God from the inside out -- you can no longer keep the Living and Written Word in -- it must escape as Jeremiah said in chapter 20, verse 9… ‘But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.’

          Litmus test is this… ‘who knows that you belong to Jesus Christ outside your immediate family?’

Two specific items that reveal what is stored in a person’s heart and mind:

1.     Words – Not just what words you use, but how you use them and the overall tone of the words can either draw people to you or repel them away. 

Scripture to study:   Colossians 4:6 and Titus 2:7-8

2.     Works – Every single living soul lives in a glass house and works and plays in a very clear fishbowl.  Everything we do is seen, interpreted, and judged base on what we core values we have established.  If a person never established boundaries or any sort of core values then the possibilities of their life being tossed back and forth without any rudder for direction on an open and stormy sea becomes a reality. 

Is your current activity driven by the rudder of God’s will and His purpose for your life?

Scripture to study:   Matthew 5:16; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 2:12

CHARACTER Mini-Summit Week 2

2. Don’t allow the WORLD around you to squeeze you into its own mold.

     What mask will you wear today? or tomorrow?; or even next week?  The ability to stay true to yourself and to be the man or woman God intended YOU to be takes tremendous courage, resolve, and convictions. We have all been confronted with the myriad of schedules, meetings and relationships and the ensuing chaos that follows.  It can be a lot easier to blend in and just be like everyone else.   Ask yourself some simple questions: Is it easier to be patient or impatient? Is it easier to remain calm during the storms, or panic and loose the self-control? Is it easier to fly off the handle at a spouse, friend, co-worker, or a child than it is to control your temper?

^"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

     We aren’t meant to look like the world, act like the world, and or talk like the world. Rather, we should be transformed by renewing our minds with God’s Word. II Corinthians says that in Christ we are a new creation. The old is gone the new has come (II Corinthians 5:17). We still look the same on the outside, but God said we are new creations, completely different and changed on the inside.

    Imagine a caterpillar as he turns into a butterfly – a transformation!  The butterfly doesn’t spend time at the same places that the caterpillar did; he doesn’t eat the same things the caterpillar ate; and he doesn’t hang around the same crowd that the caterpillar hung out with. In order to become that butterfly he had to “back out” of his cocoon. He backs out of some old lifestyles; He backs out of old sins; He abandons the old life!

     This is an incredible truth in scripture, not because this change comes with anything we do, but because it comes by knowing God and His word. We can experience change in life solely by renewing our minds to the truth of God's word. As a man thinks in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7). When what we think and know is God's word, then it will come out in the way we live.

     Did you know that no matter what you do to impress someone or that effort you may exert to fit in with co-workers, friends, or social groups-- at the expense of your belief system, core values, or faith -- will still never be enough in the end. For people will always want more from you and try their best to take advantage of you.

     That is why your ability to firmly fasten your life into a genuine relationship with Jesus is so vital.  Back to the butterfly example … after he comes out of the cocoon, his wings are wet and useless … he starts to breathe… deeply…and the blood begins to flow into the wings…and they become alive.

  Jesus gave His blood for YOU so that you might live – truly live. He takes you as you are. 

CHARACTER Mini-Summit

    

                                                              

      A friend once said that 'Character is on the endangered species list.'  I agree with that statement.  If you were to evaluate your life and ask yourself 'who in my life displays a Godly character without compromise?'  I would imagine the list would be short. 

     

     Reason---we are in a world where those who live in the public eye have compromised their own beliefs, their integrity, and their own families for power, greed, abundance, stature, prestige, and titles. 

     

     The current vernacular of elitism is null and void of character---let alone individuals living with a Godly character.  If the word integrity is mentioned, it is quickly blotted out by self-gratification, me-ism, entitlement belief system, or the simple issue of an over active narcissistic attitude or opinion.

            "You can't talk your way out of what you've behaved yourself into."

-Stephen R. Covey

     Behavior, or the character of our behavior, finds its origin inside one's self.  It is an internal feeding of both the heart and mind.  We cannot change from the outside in, because the outside isn’t what caused the change in the first place.  Actually, Jesus said that what has happened came from within.  He reminds us why we need to be filtering everything that we allow to take up residency in our hearts and minds in Mark 7:21-23.

      

     “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean’ “.  Mark 7:21-23

     

       Imagine what the billboard of your life resembles when it is filled with such thoughts, actions, and attitudes?

For the few next weeks, come with me on a CHARACTER Mini-Summit.  Let your senses gravitate back to the heart of God and His code of ethics.  King Solomon, the wisest person to ever have lived, said, “Here is my final advice: Honor God and obey His commands.  This is the most important thing people can do.”  (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  

     God intended His Words to be Words of Instruction on how to live. Yes, the Bible is relevant in the present day and His Word can help us to have an inner change; a character change that can guide us in sustaining a stronger walk with God.  Each week we will briefly look at an important concept.

THIS WEEK’S CONCEPT:

1.         Your THOUGHT life determines your LIFESTYLE.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

            I have found that my mind has to be regularly cleaned by allowing God to remove the trash.  I am talking about my attitude, my perception, and re-aligning my mind with better resources.  This is when I use my spiritual compass to point my mind and heart to my true north star---my Heavenly Father.  It is here where I can refill my mind with God's thoughts, God's way of handling change, God's strength for handling disappointments, and God's grace for when I have veered off my path to Him.

 

     Here is where I find an entirely new perspective of the struggles I face and a re-thinking of my thinking towards how God can teach His children that He is always there -- ready to empower us.  The following is a quote that I have personally lived by over the years, may it challenge you this week : 


 “Watch your thoughts, for they become words.  Watch your words, for they become actions.  Watch your actions, for they become habits.  Watch your for habits, they become character.  Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”     ~Tom Krause

Under HIS Wings

A friend of mine sent me an amazing story…

                               
After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest
rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's
damage.  One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes,
perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird
with a stick.  When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks
scurried from under their dead mother's wings.  

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her
offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under
her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would
rise.  She could have flown to safety, but had refused to abandon
her babies.  Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had
scorched her small body, the mother had remained
steadfast...because she had been willing to die, so those under
the cover of her wings would live.

WOW!   Immediately - Jesus comes to my mind.

'He will cover you with His feathers, And under His wings 
you will find refuge.'  (Psalm 91:4)

Such a similarity of that mother bird to Jesus and us!   Jesus was aware of the impending disaster of all of us -- being separated from our Heavenly Father because of sin.  He could have stayed safely in heaven; he could of returned there instead of going through the torture, the ridicule, the agonizing death on the cross.  But instead, HE remained steadfast and because HE was so willing to die – WE can live in heaven with God someday 4-ever!  

Thank you Jesus for the cover of your wings that we might live!

Empty Our Cup

We can have the right scriptures, the right purposes, and even unlimited opportunities--but God has a very difficult time working in His children who are not servant driven.  We must not only be PURPOSE driven, but also SERVANT DRIVEN.  "The greatest among you will be your servant"  Matthew 23:11.   Our challenge is to empty our cup so God can fill it with His servant Spirit.  Let us move our motto from, "Give me!" to "Here I am, USE ME!"


"A new command I give you: LOVE ONE ANOTHER" John 13:34  Jesus not only taught us to love one another, but he also practiced it and He challenges us--as fully devoted Christ followers, to put these examples into practice in our own lives.  The servant will desire to do God's work in God's way for God's glory.


It is time... Will YOU empty your cup;  allow God to fill it with His servant Spirit...and then POUR yourself into people.

Why? Why? Why?

I want to share a fantastic story that was passed along to me.  It reminds us that even when faced with intense, even impossible circumstances  that God wants us to do our part and He will take care of the rest.


Many times we are asking "Why?" when we should be asking  ourselves, "Why not?".  Reason being is that we have the power of God, the power of His Spirit within us, and by our faith -- anything is possible with God.


Read the story below and it will help answer the 'WHY's' in your life.


When you’re asking Why? Why? Why?
I heard a story recently that went something like this: God pointed to a large boulder and told a man, “Try to move that boulder.” Day after day the man pushed and shoved at that boulder and it never budged an inch. After a couple of years of this the man finally gave up. Frustrated, he sat down and leaned against the boulder and said, “It’s impossible! God, why would you tell me to move this boulder? I can’t! I’m done! I give up!” God replied, “I didn’t tell you to move the boulder, I told you to try to move it. And you obeyed. And look at you now. Your back and arms are muscular and strong. Your body is lean and tanned. And you know every crack and crevice of the boulder. Now watch Me move it.” God moved the boulder and charged the man with the responsibility of building bridges out of smaller rocks, which of course he could do with no effort at all with his newly formed muscles, strong back and arms.
Through every struggle, challenge and trial, God has shown Himself faithful to us, even as we’ve continued to push on the boulder. When you pray and God responds, you learn how to lean on Him when things are beyond your control in a way that you just can’t absorb third-hand in church. Your faith becomes real. It becomes a working part of your life. It becomes a necessary function of who you are, like an arm, a leg or your brain.
You can’t NOT lean on God because you’ve seen him move those boulders that you could never budge.
What I missed in those “why, why, why?” moments is that while God doesn’t always resolve our concerns immediately, He always, always immediately responds. Some people get a speedy miracle, but some of us will have some boulders that He wants us to try to shove for awhile. And while we’re shoving, God is blessing us with opportunities, relationships, experiences and other miracles that strengthen our muscles and build our faith.
And if you’ll do it, you’ll be blessed in ways you cannot imagine, through experiences and blessings that it never even occurred to you to ask for. And when it is time, God will say, “Okay, my child. Now watch Me move it.”


Zechariah 4:6
"Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit" says the Lord God Almighty

In HIS Hands

   God has an amazing way of opening a person's life and letting them hear the song of their hearts and find hope during despair, strength in weakness, and love in hate & bitterness:) He can...if we let Him:)


In HIS Hands - so very thankful that I am ALWAYS in His hands.  Take time this week to listen and watch this neat video of JJ Heller's song...Amazing story through song.
http://youtu.be/FlL8LayF0uw

Psalm 66:9

 ⁹ Our lives are in his hands,
      and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

                                     New Living Translation 

People don't care about how much you know UNTIL they know about how much you care.

At work this week, I spent some time asking people who I knew were not followers or believers in Jesus the following question: "What has caused you to be so adamant about not giving God a chance?" The #1 answer and the only answer was---'church people were not accepting and they judged me'.  


I have been blessed in the Lord opening a door for me to work in the business world for the past almost two years and I have seen, heard, and experienced so many broken hearts, shattered dreams, confused, neglected, abused, under-encouraged, holding on to past failures, disappointments, and set-backs that I have been reminded and have a greater sense of renewal towards the urgency of being Christ-like in the world where I am at...to see people with His eyes, to reach out with His compassion, and to be empathetic and not just sympathetic.


I am reminded of a quote that has been apart of my personal passion for many years.  I wanted to pass it on and maybe light the wick of perhaps your candle in hoping that we will not just look at one another from a distance, but roll up our sleeves and get into the lives of those who are unacceptable, unlovable, unappreciated, unlikable, and the many misunderstood.  

"God has not called us to see through each other, but to see each other through."

~Author Unknown

SCRIPTURE'S THAT CAN INSPIRE:

For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
Matthew 7:1-3 

And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.
Acts 10:41-43

God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
James 4:11-13

Are YOU intentionally relational?

Jesus was intentionally relational.  He shared His life... not just His work... but His very life, with His disciples.  He did this because He not only wanted to teach them about ministering, but also about living.

Ponder Colossians 3:12:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

To love others as Christ did does not always come naturally for most of us. We must strive to be intentionally relational.  In other words, we must deliberately choose to be longsuffering, kind, patient, and loving with others.  Let’s be a people who seek to follow Jesus and work at building authentic friendships.

Check out the song below sometime this week...

Josh Wilson - I refuse

http://youtu.be/6B1Lv8k5pEc

Are you giving God your best?

 I believe giving our best honors God and inspires people.

       Are you giving God your best?

Take time this week to listen to the Matthew West song below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHUppFNjy5E&feature=related

WHO are YOU investing in?

I believe lost people matter to God and that His message of forgiveness is most effectively expressed within the context of personal relationships.
       WHO are YOU investing in?




Click the Link below this week to hear Brandon Heath's Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2cYxOkR2-g&feature=fvsr

Picture..."Putting A face with a Name"

How God uses me…

LEADERSHIP:

My leadership ability can be defined as the ability to get others to willingly follow.  This is in essence influence and I have worked at having a visual and intellectual influence upon teams to help achieve desired results.  As a leader I will embrace the vision and then provide a clear, vivid picture to the team of where to go, and how to get there to achieve it.  I've always been driven by helping team members buy into the vision, mission, and core values so that as a team God’s work can be achieved. 

INTEGRITY:   

I believe Integrity is the external behaviors of inner values. As a person of integrity, I am the same on the inside as I am on the outside. I can be trusted because I never veer from inner values, even when it might be expeditious to do so. In order to gain the trust of the leadership and community of the Church I myself must display integrity and character that is above reproach.  I display integrity by honest dealings, predictable reactions, and well-controlled emotions in all situations. Maintaining this level of commitment allows me to be more approachable by people inside and outside the church.

HUMILITY:

Having humility helps me recognize that I am no better or worse than other members of the team. I believe that a humble leader is not just meek, but tries to elevate everyone to both success and with a greater sense of understanding towards why we are doing the work and who the true credit belongs to.  God's glory is our desire and should be the fuel that motivates our investment into the greatest work in the universe. 

VALUE OF 'WE' not 'I':

I always ensure that credit for successes is spread as widely as possible throughout the church family.  On the other hand, I take personal responsibility for failures or set-backs. This example is helpful in teaching ownership of the vision and responsibility towards the team as we carry out God's work both inside and outside the church.

OPENNESS:

Being open has always helped me to be able to listen to new ideas, even if they do not conform to the usual way of thinking. I work at suspending judgment while listening to others’ ideas, as well as accepting new ways of doing things that someone else thought of. Being an open leader builds mutual respect and trust between leaders and team members, and it also keeps the team well supplied with new ideas that can further the churches vision.

SENSE OF HUMOR:

I am thankful for my sense of humor as carrying it into the church community brings with it a sense of being authentic. I work at being a pastor who anyone can come to for guidance and answers.  I use humor to energize followers and foster good camaraderie.

Encouragement - got an awesome email from my wife sharing a answer...

Why I believe my husband would bless the Lord and a congregation as Senior Minister.

     There have multiple times in our ministry that ladies have commented to me that it is neat that it is obvious how much I love having my husband as my Pastor.  I am not partial just because Rick is my husband.   I love having Rick as my Pastor for many other reasons that I believe would correlate as to why I believe my husband would bless the Lord and a congregation as Senior Minister.  First, he always puts God first.  His life verse is “more of Christ, less of me”.  A great church leader is one who seeks to do things God’s way (the best way) instead of his own way.  That is my husband.  This blesses the church by having the leader lead the church in God’s direction and then ministry is done God’s way.  A church that is focused on God blesses the Lord.  Second, he is genuine.  When he preaches or teaches, you can tell that he means and believes what he is saying.  Being authenticate would not only be a blessing to the Christian members, but could also be a key to unlocking the hearts of unbelievers that need to be reached.  Rick lives what he preaches – what he believes.  Believers and unbelievers alike need and want a leader/minister to be real.  Third, I completely know that he is called by God to preach.  God has not only blessed him with the gift of being able, with God’s guidance, to create inspiring thought-provoking and life-changing messages, but to also deliver them in a dynamic attention-grabbing way.  I truly believe that He blesses the Lord thru his preparation and manner of speaking.  God is glorified by His word being presented in a motivating and exciting way that speaks to diverse age groups.  Rick’s passion for his Lord comes out thru his preaching and makes it more powerful.