Thursday, December 31, 2009

End Well

To start the New Year off right, the best tactic is to end the old year right. Procrastination is the enemy of good intentions. By starting now to implement the kinds of actions you want to practice in 2010, you get a head start and begin to practice the skills and habits desired for the next year. Any time is a good time to change, but many start the New Year with Resolutions. The problem of course is that few of them are kept. Rather than making New Year's Resolutions, I begin each year with some thoughtful goals I want to achieve in the coming year.

I like to think in several categories; spiritual, family, health, finances, personal development, etc. I then decide what I need to change or do in order to go to the next level in that category. For example, spiritually to grow to be more of the man God wants me to be, I know that prayer, Bible reading, meditation, etc will be required. Am I practicing the spiritual disciplines that will build the qualities into my life that will result in the spiritual life I desire?

Financially, am I preparing appropriately for the future? In my younger years, I made it a priority to get out of credit card debt using credit only for the big ticket items like a house and car. In addition, am I working on an emergency fund and saving the percentage of my income that will prepare for my future and more importantly, provide for my wife if something happens to me and I can no longer care for her? Obviously, tithing comes off the top and is paid monthly. I fail to understand why ministers struggle with the concept of tithing. My financial journey began when I had nothing. Putting God first must include finances. "Where your treasure is there will your heart be also."

By making December a month of reflection on these and other issues, I get started before the New Year and begin to plan and act in ways that will carry over into 2010. When I end well, it is much more natural to begin well. It is never too late to start. Above all, always remember, "We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails." Proverbs 19:21 In the words of one of my heroes of the faith, "Pray like everything depends on God, and work like everything depends on you." Work at the little things and the big things will come into line.

Have a great 2010!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Leadership and Freezing Rain

Traveling to one of our churches this morning, we came across several accidents due to the freezing rain. Crumpled cars, backed up traffic, and the State Police forced us to turn around and head back home. A leadership lesson came out of the experience.

As leaders, we are expected to be out front, aggressively demonstrating by example the path that lies ahead. The vision pulls us forward toward the preferred future the Lord has for us. Caution can be thrown to the wind when motivated to be all we can be. This places leaders in an awkward position. Leading the way not only provides great opportunities for success, it also provides great opportunities for loosing control and spinning out, resulting in unintended disaster.

As leaders, we need to be aggressively pursuing the path laid out by the Lord. We must also keep a watchful eye for potential pitfalls and slick spots. Never get to the place where you believe you cannot fall into temptation. There are too many great leaders of the past and present that have experienced the trauma of the unexpected. Be the leader God has called you to be and keep a watchful eye on the dangers that lie ahead. Bridges may freeze before road surfaces.