JustJeff | Life Journal http://www.justjeff.info/ en Copyright 2010 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:01:59 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Antidote to Default Living Leviticus 24:12 (NKJV) Then they put him in custody, that the mind of the LORD might be shown to them. Deuteronomy 12:8 (NKJV) “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today— every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes— Observation: These verses in context really have nothing to do with each other. They just caught my attention. The passage in Leviticus is telling the story of how Moses deals with a man who has blasphemed God and decides the appropriate punishment. In Deuteronomy, Moses is describing the how the Israelites will worship when they possess the Promised Land. Although there isn’t anything that would connect these two situations to each other, but there is important insight for me that link these two verses together. Application: In the scene presented in Leviticus, a man had blasphemed God. Instead of rashly reacting, Moses resists the pressure to something immediately and creates an opportunity to hear from God. In the end, Moses’ ruling on the violation ends up being the result I had anticipated – the man was put to death. The issue for me is how Moses came to the decision. Instead of allowing the emotion of the moment to force the issue, he created space – space to clear his head and heart, so he could hear from God. Even though we could have anticipated the outcome, Moses did not presume. He stepped back and let God judge, and then obediently moved towards the right resolution. This reinforces to me the idea that the right process always produces the right outcome. In the other story, God’s people are in the awkward “not yet” stage; they are not yet set up for the way it will be. This forces them to have to make adaptations. And in this context, God allows them some leeway to work things out the best way they know how. That “way” (of worship) in this passage is described as “every man doing right in their own eyes.” My paraphrase of this is “everybody did the best that they could in the circumstances they were in according to the understanding that they had.” But the thing Moses was pointing out was that although this was permissible for now, it was not to become the pattern or process that was going to be acceptable in the next season. In my life there are times that God allows me some leeway in the way I do things – as long as it works, He allows it. But just because He allows it now, doesn’t mean it’s the acceptable or even preferred way of doing things. What I do is allow the exception God allows to become the default behavior. Just because it works for today, doesn’t mean I have permission to do it this way all the time. The overall thing I get from today’s reading I that I need to continue to push back my reactionary or default lifestyle. I need to not assume that what I’m doing is acceptable or right, even if I have justification for it. There is a way that God has for me to live. He wants me to know His mind on things. It’s my responsibility to understand the season and situation I’m in, so that I can know His mind and instructions for me. Prayer: Lord, let me know your mind and instructions. Let me not live by default. I want to live intentionally obedient in every situation. ]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/antidote_to_default_living.html http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/antidote_to_default_living.html Development Discipline Life Disciplines Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:01:59 -0800 Prognosticators, Forecasters, Speculators, and the Decline of Civilization Deuteronomy 18:12-14 (NKJV) For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. 14 For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you. Observation: Application: So much of the culture today is shaped by editorialized information. News correspondents are hired to present speculation as fact. The more outlandish and abrasive their opinions, the more influence they yield. Investment bankers and Wall Street brokers sell educated “hunches” as commodity for which they are handsomely paid. Our nation’s policies are shaped by forecasts and projections, many of which have proven to be less effective than guessing. So much of life is influenced by well meaning people who are simply trying to find a way to tell the future. No matter how well educated their experience or well-meaning their intentions, their efforts fall short, often with devastating results. The Lord warns his people against developing any structure – governmental, environmental, financial, social – that does not place Him clearly at the center of any policy or action. God clearly points out the self-serving yet futile natures of the nations surrounding Israel. He warns them not to be influenced by their processes. In fact, God promises to drive these nations them out of their lands. This is so when Israel possesses the land, they also implement a completely new structure and system; one that is dependant upon God, and not mankind’s delusional attempts for self governance and self reliance. The church can even get caught up in the “talking head” approach to life. We can place issues ahead of individuals, policy ahead of people. But God calls us to live blameless. God invites us to live dependant. God frees us to live obediently. Prayer: Lord, dispossess us of from our self-importance. Drive out the abomination of self-serving pride from my life that I may live in the promise you’ve appointed for me. ]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/prognosticators_forecasters_sp.html http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/prognosticators_forecasters_sp.html Current Events Pride Sovereignty Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:43:23 -0800 Corporal Punishment Numbers 20:7-12 (NKJV) Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 8 “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” 9 So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him. 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. 12 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” God gave Moses instructions on what to do and what He would then do. Moses did what God said...kinda, close enough...and God did what He said he'd do. And then he disciplined Moses. As a Christian leader, I've contemplated this passage many times. I keep looking for a deeper meaning to the story that what is obvious to me on the surface. But for all my "mining" this text, I keep coming back to this simple thought: Do exactly as your told. When in this situation in a previous setting, God told Moses to strike the rock. In this story, Moses is told to speak to the rock. In both cases the Lord brought water from the rock for the people. As far as anyone could tell, the method worked. I don't know if this was just a matter of neglect on Moses' part to God's instructions, or if he just got excusably carried away in the moment, or what. All I know is this little gaff cost Moses everything. I think of different ways in which God's purpose is released in individuals via a leader's influence. One leadership style is to strike. For example, as a parent one option for discipline is to use the momentary sting of a spanking to imprint upon a child's mind the significance of thier transgression. Other times, words of correction or encouragement are sufficient to remedy the situation. Know when to implement these different tools to shape a child's life either releases the life within them, or permanently limits them. Leading people can be similar. Some leaders "spank" their subordinates through creating a high demand/high performance culture, which reshapes one's character and life disciplines (e.g. boot camp in the Armed Forces). Other times, words are the leader's tool that bring out or shape the potential (and occasionally the problems) inherent in the lives of the followers. Encouragement as well as confrontation can be equally effective if employed in the right timing and context. If either is wrong, the results can be devastating. This story reminds me that even when all the circumstances seem to be the same, when I have access to the same tools, and the end result is the same, I still can't default to what I did the last time. Why, especially when the outcome is the same? Because the consequence for the leader is life changing. Following God's specific instruction is the most important thing I can do. Lord, help me to lead through obedience, not presumption. ]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/corporal_punishment.html http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/corporal_punishment.html Leadership Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:07:56 -0800 Prohibition Leviticus 10:8-10 (NKJV) Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying: 9 “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, 10 that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, Observation: This directive is given after Aaron's sons died while fulfilling their priestly duties, presumably while intoxicated. Thier actions followed thier dedication unto the Lord for their assignment as priests. Application: My Mom grew up at a time when Christians avoided alcohol, makeup, and movies. My dad got saved as an adult while in the army and experience a pretty significant change in his lifestyle. This means that while I was growing up we never has any alcohol in our house. Then I grew up. The culture of the church had become much more permissive. The external demonstrations of "holiness" didn't have the same requirements of the past. Certain actions (in my circle of believers) such as cigar smoking, wine tasting, and lager not only became acceptable, but "trendy" as an exercise in christian liberty. I do believe that we have freedom in Christ. We are not required to live restricted by man-made legalism. Yet there are God-ordained restriction imposed on the life of a believer. And there are old permissions and actions that I can let go of the more I take hold of Christ. As a Christ-follower, I am (we are) a part of a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). And the most important skill that any disciple must have is the ability to distinguish between what is holy and what is not. That skill must be continually applied internally, in evaluating one's self; my motives, choices, and actions. If I take my role as "priest" seriously, there are prohibitions will I choose to live. I cannot afford to be impaired in my ability to make distinctions between what is "clean and unclean, holy or unholy." Whatever impacts my ability to make those moment by moment, life-changing evaluations needs to be not just restricted, but removed from my life. If they are not, it could cost me my life. Prayer: Lord, I don't want any part of my life to be impaired. Help me see the things in my life that I am "intoxicated" with, so that I can really walk in freedom and fulfillment.]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/prohibition.html http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/prohibition.html Development Discipline Leadership Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:24:21 -0800 Hearing God's Voice...literally Exodus 19:19 (NKJV) ...Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. Observation: Wow. What would that be like? Not just the "still, small voice," but to hear God's audible response? It was God who said that He was "in the thick cloud, that the people may hear. When I speak with you and believe you forever." (v 9) Not only did God speak to Moses, He came down to meet with him (v 20). yet the people were afraid - "let not God speak to us lest we die." (v 20) 20:21 says that the people stood afar, but Moses drew near to where God was. Application: As a leader, the people you are responsible for want to know that you hear from God; they want (and need) to believe you, to trust you. Why? Because most of them are afraid to or unsure that they are able to hear Him for themselves. Our job is two-fold: to hear from Him, and to teach them how to hear from him. The first is to create confidence in people that God speaks. For them to believe it, they have to experience it. That's why it's important for a leader to hear from God, the otcome of which must bear the fruit of God's approval. The second is to model a method - drawing near to God. Who sees me do that? Do I model it? Prayer: Lord, let me hear. Help me lead.]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/hering_gods_voiceliterally_1.html http://www.justjeff.info/2010/02/hering_gods_voiceliterally_1.html Disciplines Leadership Walk Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:20:17 -0800 Sticks and Stones Genesis 31:3 (NKJV) Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.” Observation: Ch. 31 has an interesting progression leading up to v 3: In verse 1, Jacob heard about what was being said about him. This must have made him aware of things he hadn't previously been privy to. This contributed to v 2, his observation that Laban was not as favorable towards him as before. Then, God spoke... Application: More than what God said to Jacob, I'm interested in the process that led up to it. What happens when the Lord is going to change your assignment? First is the ability to discern the reason for the change in your perception. What are the feelings of those around you? What relationships that had previously been satisfying aren't any longer? Next step is that God has to give some specific instructions on what to do next. Finally, those God has entrusted to your care must confirm it: v 16 - "whatever God has said to you, do it." Prayer: Lord, help me to be a man who doesn't make irrational changes or respond out of offense. Help me to develop the right perception and an intuition that prepares me to hear what You want to speak to me.]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2010/01/sticks_and_stones.html http://www.justjeff.info/2010/01/sticks_and_stones.html Calling Life Challenges Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:10:24 -0800 Who are you to me? Genesis 20:13 (NKJV) "...I said to her, ‘This is your kindness that you should do for me: in every place, wherever we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’” Observation: Despite God's promise and protection, Abraham was still fearful..."they will kill me because of my wife..." This was the second time he told Sarai to refer to him as her brother. How could he ever have a son if he kept giving his wife away as a buy-off to avoid potential conflict? Application: I've never liked being introduced to people as "pastor." I've thught that the ttle carried too much baggage. Maybe I've really been fearful of the responsibility it carried. I cannot let the people I am responsible for be exposed just because I'm want to avoid conflict. I will "step up" (as Tabitha says) and be the man. Prayer: Lord, help me to walk humbly and confidently in the assignment you've given to me.]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2010/01/who_are_you_to_me.html http://www.justjeff.info/2010/01/who_are_you_to_me.html Calling Leadership Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:59:29 -0800 Quick Change Exodus 33:7-8,25 (NKJV) 7 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them... 25 Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame...)... Moses is meeting with God on the mountain for 40 days and nights. And in that span, God's people decide to create an idol - the golden calf. The process of this slide is documented in these verses. It says that thay had "corrupted themselves." What was the cause of this corruption? They turned aside quickly from the way God had commanded them. See, God had placed boundaries on thier life that were not intended to restrict thier life, but to protect it. Yet in a very short time they chose to live without that constraint. Everybody wants the quick change: weight loss, cosmetic surgery, stock speculation...the list goes on. There is no easy way, but it doesn't stop us from looking for one. This is especially true when it comes to our spiritual lives. People want a "bailout" from God, but as soon as we get it, we go back to the old ways that brought us to that desperate position. In my life, I always go backwards when I live without the restraint of God's directives for me. Anytime I step outside of those life principles, corruption creeps in and disipline leaks out. There is no quick change that produces any real and lasting good in life. Real change is made by little decisions to live with your boundaries, your means, your assignments. This kind of living requires focus, discipline, and perseverance. Without it, we're left to worship the life we've created for ourselves and face the consequences. ]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2009/02/quick_change.html http://www.justjeff.info/2009/02/quick_change.html God's Will Life Management Walk Bailout Quick Change Thu, 12 Feb 2009 06:27:42 -0800 Worthless Proverbs 6:12-14 (ESV) 12 A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, 13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, 14 with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; What struck me this morning while reading is the term "worthless." It's translated differently in other other versions, but this term I think best defines the kind of person this proverb is speaking about. This is someone who only looks out for themself. The don't bring anything of value to a relationship or community. In fact it's just the opposite - thier life revolves around taking. So they "talk out of both sides of thier mouth" (MSG translation) saying what ever the person they're speaking to wants to hear, or what ever will get them what they want (even if what they want is just attention). Another trait is the wink. I've been winked at before. It usually start with a statement like, "Now I'm not supposed to be saying this, but if you'll keep it a secret, I'll tell you..." It is a tool of seduction, a "come on" of sorts, that implies or invites an illicit intimacy that doesn't exist. Then there's the "signal" giver; the person who will always give you up and point you out. This is a dangerous person because the results of thier actions result in your injury. This is also the kind of person who will make promises to you while having thier fingers crossed behind thier back. Because they have no honor and only look out for themselves, eventually they burn bridges. The only way to keep control then is to turn those around them against each other. This is nothing more than a distraction method intended to shift the attention from them. But thier selfishness destroys community. I know I'm not this kind of person. What I need to know is if there are people in my life who are. I've not known many people who are intentionally malicious like this. For most people who act worthless is because they feel worthless and are trying to compensate for thier insecurities. The need of self-importance is a destructive force. Lord, help me to see if there are those in my life who are worthless. Guard my heart from them. Help me protect my family and community from them. Keep me from falling into the trap of self-importance. ]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2009/02/worthless.html http://www.justjeff.info/2009/02/worthless.html Character Leadership division double-crossed insecurity Worthless people Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:05:22 -0800 My Book of Remembrance Malachi 3:16 (New King James Version) 16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. As I want to lead our congregation into the life-giving discipline of reading God's Word and journaling each day I was caught by this verse. I know that it means a "scroll" was was made containing the names of those who feared the Lord. But I want a "book of rememberance" for myself; a journal of the conversations God has with me, a reference to learn from and to refer to, mostly a way to remember what God is speaking to and shaping in me. This book can be a point of conversation with other people who fear Him and we can share our learnings together, meditating on His name. As I conclude another year of reading the scripture through, I'm grateful for the way the Lord uses his word to speak to me and transform me. Lord, thank you for speaking and listening.]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/my_book_of_remembrance.html http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/my_book_of_remembrance.html Devotions Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:56:20 -0800 Jesus' Birthday Zechariah 14:16 (New King James Version) And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Tonight concludes the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. This year it happened to coinside with the week of Christmas. Part of our family's holy-days celebration is to light the menorah each night of Hanukkah. This year I wanted to understand this holiday a little more, so I did a little more research through which I ran across this interesting online article about "The Messiah in Hannukah" at BiblicalHolidays.com, a portion of which I am quoting below:
Was Jesus Conceived on Hanukkah?
Many believe that our Messiah, the “light of the world,” was conceived on the festival of lights—Hanukkah. The Bible does not specifically say the date of Jesus’ birth. It was not during the winter months because the sheep were in the pasture (Luke 2:8). A study of the time of the conception of John the Baptist reveals he was conceived about Sivan 30, the eleventh week (Luke 1:8-13, 24). Adding forty weeks, for a normal pregnancy reveals that John the Baptist was born on or about Passover (Nisan 14). Six months after John’s conception, Mary conceived Jesus (Luke 1:26-33); therefore Jesus would have been conceived six months after Sivan 30 in the month of Kislev—Hanukkah. Was the “light of the world,” conceived on the festival of lights? Starting at Hanukkah, which begins on Kislev 25 and continues for eight days, and counting through the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy, one arrives at the approximate time of the birth of Jesus at the Festival of Tabernacles (emphasis added).
The "Light of the World" concieved during the "festival of lights?" It's interesting to note God's timing in the fact that the event commemorated by Hannukkah took place approximately 165 years before Christ's birth. This gave enough time for the celebration to become rooted in the culture. This event is also during the 400 years know as the inter-testmental period, during which its thought that God did not speak to his people. Yet could the the purification and restoation of the temple been prophetic? Furthermore, it make sense for Jesus, "Emmanuel" - God With Us (or as it could be translated, "God who tablernacles with man") to come during this season. In fact, the day following the conclusion of the 7-day Sukkot festival is called Simkat Torah, the day on which the year-long reading of the Torah is concluded and started again. And now, as John said in his description of the incarnation, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among men" (John 1:1-4,14). And now we come to today's reading, where it says that all nations will come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tablernacles. Not Passover, not Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), not Pentecost, but Tabernacles - when God came to live with men. I wish I had more time to write because this has so many implications. I can't wait to do some more research on the subject. Nevertheless, During the season that I as a Christian celebrate Jesus' birth, I am pointed to a day when as it says in Revelation 21:3-4, 23 (NKJV):
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” The city (the new Jerusalem) had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light."
For more basic information on the Feast of Tabernacles I reccomend the following articles: "The Festival of Booths" and "Succot", @ Hope4Israel.org 's blog as well as "Sukkot: A Practical Guide for Believers in Messiah" hosted @ Emmanuel Messianic Jewish Congregation's website ]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/zechariah_1416_new_king_james.html http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/zechariah_1416_new_king_james.html Holidays Jewish Holidays Hanukkah Jesus' Birth Light Sukkot Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:54:51 -0800 Life at 75 MPH Habakkuk 2:2-3 (Contemporary English Version) 2 Then the LORD told me: "I will give you my message in the form of a vision. Write it clearly enough to be read at a glance. 3 At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting-- it will happen! I don't know why I don't spend more time in Habakkuk. It's a rich, little book. Very readable for a minor prophet and so many foundational concepts contained in it. I also wonder if every December 18 I so a life journal entry on these same verses? (I should check my archives). As a pastor the holidays are a time of reflection and preparation for the start of a new year. In this season, I've not yet had the time to really get away to hear God abut what he has for the church I serve in 2009, but I'm geting tastes of it. What I need to do is to take the time to capture all these thoughts, allow them to become clear through prayer and prepare to lead our church on the journey He has for us. I've already spent time getting ready for this; reading some books that stir my heart, meeting with friends & leaders who challenge me. Snce August I really feel that this year at New Life is all about "making disciples." There's a lot of Christians, but not many actual "Christ-followers" (see Jesus: "You're my disciples if you do what I command you...," etc.) Now it's one thing to say it, but it's another to communicate it; to really help people understand where we're going and how we're going to get there. That's why the CEV spoke to me in it's translation today, "Write it clearly enough to be read at a glance." People's lives are rush by so fast, like traffic on the freeway. So this vision for our church has to be "caught on the fly." Like a billboard, the vision has to have a simple and clear message. Like a road sign, the vision has to point people in a specific direction. Like the sound of an alarm, people have to understand what the sound means and how to respond. This is my challenge over the remaining weeks in 2008. And if I do my part of writing it down, the Lord says I can trust Him with the future outcome. Lord, help me hear, help me focus, help me communicate what, where, and how You're leading our church into our future.]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/life_at_75_mph.html http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/life_at_75_mph.html Church Discipleship Leadership Billboards Discipleship Leadership Vision Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:28:37 -0800 Plug the Dam Proverbs 17:14 (NKJV) The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. Man, is this proverb ever true! It always suprises me how much stuff people supress (including me). If you ever want to discover what issues people have with you, get in an argument with them about something. Not too far into it, whatever problems were once held back come flooding out even if it's unrelated to the issue at hand. We (people) can help it. Once the plug is pulled, it's hard to control what comes flooding out. This proverb instructs to stop contentions before it goes to the next level, but how? First, steer clear of anger (Ephesians 4:31). Just get rid of it. Don't let stuff back up and clog the pipes of the heart. Then there's the responsibility to walk in self-control (Proverbs 29:11; Galatians 5:22-26). I don't know why I give myself permission to "vent." The scripture says that's foolishness. When it does come time to confront something, love has to be the boundary for the conversation. The truth does need to be spoken, but both restrained by the speaker and filtered by the hearer through love (Ephesians 4:15). Issues, problems, misunderstandings are an unavoidable part of life with each other. It takes faith and trust with a healthy dose of self-control to keep them from blowing up. Funny thing is, if conflict is navigated correctly, it becomes a shaping force in one's life, not a destructive one. Lord, secure the walls of my heart. Help me not to let the pressure internally become disasterous to those around me. Strengthen me, heal me, forgive me, so that I can walk clean with those around me.]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/plug_the_dam.html http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/plug_the_dam.html Conflict Walk Conflict Flood Self-Control Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:11:52 -0800 Down and Out Micah 7:8 (NKJV) Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The LORD will be a light to me. I don't know why this verse captured my attention today. I'm not feeling especially persecuted; I don't feel like I'm in the dark (although there are times that both of these are true). But this verse brings perspective to each of these kinds of situations. When I fall, I will get up. Yet so many times failure feels fatal. But it's not. To paraphrase the theologian LL Cool J, "Don't call it a comeback..." With the Lord's help, just get back up. It's also true when darkness comes. It is disorenting and disconcerting. It's lonely and confusing. But the Lord says, He's the light at the end of the tunnel. He's the illumination that allows me to see where I am and what needs to be done. Not especially deep today, but rich never the less. I'm sure that this will be something I'll have to turn to sometime in the days/weeks/months ahead. Lord, be my light. Be my strength.]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/down_and_out.html http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/down_and_out.html Challenges Challenge Darkness Fall Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:53:26 -0800 A Calm and Quiet Soul Psalm 131:1-2 (NKJV) LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. I had lunch with a long time buddy of mine yesterday. He happens to pastor a church that has experience wonderful growth over the past 8 years. We enjoy each other's company and process life and ministry together. I was sharing with him about some leadership struggles I was experiencing and feeling a little paralyzed from not knowing what to do. His response was encouraging, but direct. His comment was that I see things at such a macro level, that I can tend to overcomplicate things. It can be like trying to get to step 5 before completing step 2. I have a tendancy to try to get to the desired result without completing the entire process. His words resonated with me, and today's reading in Psalms affirmed this sense. I have a tendancy to be overly concerned with "great things." I like "deep" and "profound" thinking. Vision and strategy are all things that stoke my fire. But these things can create a discontent in my soul. The Lord wants to break me from, wean me from continually geting ahead of myself. I've got to break my dependency to being on "the cutting edge." This means I also have to care a little less about what people think of me and the persona I must be trying to project. I must be content with what is in front of me. I must be focused on what He has told me to do and see it through, without getting distracted by my own need for recognition("haughtiness") or ambition ("lofty eyes") or being imressive ("great matters," "profound"). Like my friend said, hear God and just do what He tells you. Lord, I want to do just and only that; to hear You and to do what you've told me to do. Wean me from my need for affirmation and teach me contentment through obedience so that my soul would be calm and quiet.]]> http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/psalm_13112_nkjv_lord_my.html http://www.justjeff.info/2008/12/psalm_13112_nkjv_lord_my.html Contentment Leadership Contentment Leadership Obedience Vision Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:42:41 -0800