My Husband Confessed

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Last week, I mentioned to my husband that I had not posted in a while and looking forward to getting something out soon. He didn’t respond. I am not sure how much time passed when he made this confession – “Well, I haven’t really missed your posts. I read your journal.”

Are you kidding me? I couldn’t believe it. These are my private thoughts to my God. It is healing and reflective for me. This man is reading my journal!

“Why would you do that?” I asked. This time he gave me immediate response. “Well, you leave it around, so I figured it must be ok to read.” Before I could express my displeasure, he spoke up and said, “What you are writing in your journal is what people really need to hear.”

I don’t necessarily agree with his observation. However, because of him, I will share one piece this morning on behalf of my husband’s confession. Here it is:

Our Heavenly Father,

I come in the name of Jesus the Christ to give you thanks, first of all. I am grateful for your son, Jesus Christ, who is seated at your right-hand advocating for us, who has made us joint heirs of Yours. I am thankful for another chance to get into your presence. Thank you for your listening ear. Thank you for your enduring love, your mercy and grace. Thank you for the blood of Jesus which cleanses and restores us. Thank you for the position that we have as your children seated with Jesus Christ, Our Saviour. Thank you for peace and joy not according to the world standard but Yours. Thank you for your faithfulness, even when we are not faithful to you. There is no one like You. Thank you Abba, Our Father, for your gracious time in listening to me. You are Jehovah God – the Almighty, Our Creator, Alpha and Omega. You are righteous and just. You are our provider; you are omnipresent, all-sufficient, and divine. All shall come to recognize that “You are Lord of Lords, King of Kings – the Only True God.” At your name, every knee will bow.

I pray the blessings upon your children that we walk in obedience in You. Forgive us, O Lord, for sins we have committed and even those sins unknown to us for truly, we are in need of your mercy. Keep us from the deceitfulness of the enemy. Incline our ears to be in tune with You. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide us this day in your way. All of these blessings, we ask, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

Healing Hurts!

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I wrote the book, “Servant Leadership NOW,”   because God ordained the message for such a time as this – NOW. It is a source of healing. President Jimmy Carter took the time to respond to my messages in the book about serving and leading; I am grateful. As a Christian, his life reflects the type of service and leadership that God calls upon each of us to do – to serve mankind.

Healing hurts! In the natural, when we get a cut, we treat it with antiseptics and bandages. Immediately, the body responds to defend itself. Within a few days, a scab appears as an added defense of protection.

My Mom recently had a serious surgery. Although the recovery is still painful, the pain prior to the surgery was much more severe.

Recently, I attended the Truth Summit 2020 where panelists shared how they were able to emerge from hurt, deception and harmful situations. While each story was different, there were common elements in the panelists’ process of healing: (1) each person had a desire to change the crippling effects in their lives; (2) each emerged from “the blame game;” (3) each found the Word to be their comforting Source; and (4) all of them are finding ways to lead and support others in their NOW season.

Healing hurts and it begins with acknowledgement. It is ok to acknowledge that you did not always use the right tactics in the process. It is ok to question, self-reflect and make corrections. Proverbs 3 verses 5 to 6 says,

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” You will learn in the process that the hurt lessens as the wounds heal.

May 2020 bring healing to your wounds!

Summit 2020

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Saturday, February 29, 2020   Registration Open! This Summit will allow participants to gain an insight for charging themselves as well as others to develop their leadership gifts.  Registration includes autographed copy of Servant Leadership NOW!

Servant Leadership NOW Summit 2020 Event

Under-Shepherds

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Reprinted from December 9, 2019

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night, (Luke 2:8 NKJV). Apostle Luke told the story of how the angel of the Lord appeared unto a group of shepherds with the news of the birth of Christ (vv9-20). Today, I encourage each of us to keep watch as an under-shepherd of The Great Shepherd, of The Good Shepherd.

Shepherds are known for their special attributes and the rough terrain they travel. They were expected to spend long difficult days away from their families. Their determination was driven by the need to get their flock to green pastures. The shepherd’s natural “watch” was critical to the success of their task.

In ancient times, a shepherd also went ahead of the flock to inspect the land before taking sheep on dangerous journeys. Prior to his journey, he eyed-out the poisonous plants which could hurt the sheep; the nourishing plants that could heal his sheep; the shady trees which would provide comfort from the heat; and the cooling, still waters from which they could drink. The shepherd carried necessary essentials in his grip (bag) to sustain himself for the journey. Still, if the shepherd did not keep a watchful eye, the sheep most certainly would be lost.

King David, knew the value of a shepherd’s spiritual eye (quite different from the natural). While shepherds flocks and fields may differ, the spiritual eye must not be neglected for the success of the task. God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit for leading and guiding. A good shepherd must adhere to the watchful eye of the Holy Spirit. The natural eye cannot be equated to the spiritual eye. As an under-shepherd of His, if one fails to be guided by the Holy Spirit, you will become weakened and your survival is threatened (1 Corinthians).

Finally, keep watch as well as pray so that you will not enter into evil ways (Matthew 26:41).

Fool’s Gold – Part II

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There is an expression “worth your weight in gold.” This saying refers to someone or something that is valuable. How much is your weight in gold?

In ancient times, it was not uncommon for the king to sit in judgement of the people. He had unlimited powers over the lives and conditions of his citizens. His authority was not to be questioned nor amended. Unwillingly or willingly, the people were expected to serve the king. To do otherwise, could cost you your life; even the lives of your family.

Still, there were thousands who rose up in defiance of oppression because they believed that God sets the standard. Their belief was worth their weight in gold to them. Thousands became followers of Jesus the Christ. Thousands were executed because they chose to follow Jesus as their Savior. However, there were those who wanted to profit from Jesus’s teaching. They sought opportunities of leadership in the church and communities for their own self-interest. As it was then, so it is today. Jesus has a position on this type of leadership. They will be reckoned with on his terms. He left these words with us: “then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity,’ Luke 13: 26-27. They are not worth their weight in gold. They are fool’s gold.

When measured against God’s standard, their value is weighed down by deceitfulness and dishonor. To pass off their standards as that of God’s, is certainly foolishness; It is an abomination!

Personally, what is your weight in gold? Can your leadership be measured as a calling on your life that serves the honor of God? Does your leadership serve those whom God has supplanted in your life? Do you support leadership that operates in lies, venom, jealousy, or self-interest? Do your leaders lift up their distorted actions by suggesting that it is based on the Word of God? Is their leadership fool’s gold?

While you are concerned by your own leadership, you must be aware of those who lead you. Servant leaders can not allow their leadership to be tainted by fool’s gold. As a leader, it is your responsibility to examine ” Is my leadership worth the weight in gold?