Have you seen the TV spots for the Foundation For A Better Life?

I get misty-eyed every time I see one of them! Check this new one out (encouraging “Patience”) on their website at http://values.com. Sorry, they do not allow in-line posting on other sites.

I can certainly identify with that worker’s FIRST emotion. I wonder if I would follow his second emotion. How about you? I HIGHLY recommend that you visit the site and see all of their spots and the other encouraging posts that they have online.

BTW, I like to know WHO I am actually endorsing before I write such a post as this. The Wikipedia article for the foundation (here) says, “it [the Foundation] is entirely funded by billionaire Philip Anschutz.” So, I checked the article for Mr. Anschutz (here) and found that he “has been an active patron of a number of religious and conservative causes”   (here). The following list is only some of the causes listed on the Wikipedia article:

• Helped fund the Discovery Institute, a think tank based in Seattle, Washington that promotes intelligent design and criticizes evolution.
• Supported the Parents Television Council, a group that protests against what they believe to be television indecency.
• Financed and distributed films with Christian themes, such as Amazing Grace and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, for mass audiences through his two film production companies and ownership of much of the Regal, Edwards and United Artists theater chains.
• Financed The Foundation for a Better Life.

Although some people. who are more aligned with the Democratic Party, may think that Mr. Anschutz represents an opposing viewpoint (due to his political affiliations), I believe that he & the Foundation represent CONSERVATIVE FAMILY VALUES. So, for my part, I endorse the work of the foundation – regardless of political parties!

Social Media: Although the Foundation has a Twitter accoun (@valuescom), it appears to be just an auto feed from their Facebook page (FBLife).  You may want to follow them there.

When an earthquake occurs, scientists will talk about the “shifting” of the earth’s plates…the geological strata layers within the earth. These “shifts” force the earth upward to adjust and often cause damage to existing structures and sometimes loss of life.

In the culture where we live, there have been dramatic shifts which forced the Body of Christ to adjust. Sometimes those shifts have been the forces in the religious world as was the case when Martin Luther was inspired to challenge the conventional wisdom of the Catholic Church with his 95 Theses. Sometimes the shift has been the result of multiple factors in political or economic systems, such as the rise of communism and the results of World War II forcing the church underground in the Eastern Bloc of nations.

When the “shift” comes, loose things or ill-prepared things go flying and often are destroyed. Recently, I’ve been thinking about such shifts in culture which are dramatically repositioning the church of Jesus Christ… Read the rest of this entry »

Evangelist & short-term missionary George (TC) Wells was our special guest today at Agape’ Fellowship. He spoke to our congregation on “worship” and it was good.

Real worship is sometimes defined as setting our entire focus on God. When one is in true worship, all other interests fall by the wayside – only our communion with God is important. (I will deal with the matter of “focus” in a later article.)

There were several other significant points that TC presented concerning true worship:

• It is bound in sincere humility before God
• It requires us to be in total submission to God
• It is linked to a deep reverence & awe of our God
• It cannot happen in the absence of unquestioning love for God

I believe that it is very significant that Bishop Isaacs posted an article on “Genuine Humility” in the previous article! Perhaps our Father is trying to tell us something? Pride (spiritual and all of the other iterations) is rampant in our society today. And the Scripture advises us that it is a precursor to destruction: Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Listen to the podcast below:

[podcast]080622_TC_Humility.mp3[/podcast]

When Paul writes to the Corinthians in chapter 2:1-3 he demonstrates a genuine humility toward those to whom he ministered…choosing not to present himself but rather Christ on the Cross dying for all of mankind. Humility is a rare quality in leaders today.  Much of leadership in todays world is ego-driven with a “what’s in it for me..” mindset.  Paul saw it differently and so must we…we are servants of the King…we serve at His pleasure. This is not about us…but Him!

• Humility reduces stress–I don’t have to have all the answers.  He does.  I’m not God…He is.
• Humility improves relationships–Selfish, self-absorbed people are an irritation.  No one wants to be around them.  On the other hand, humble people are a delight and provide comfortable relationships.
• Humility releases God’s power–James 4:6 says God gives grace to the humble but he opposes the proud!  The secret to spiritual power is to walk humbly before the Lord, focusing on others and depending on God.

Link to the original site

We all get frustrated that – in our view – justice is perverted and things just aren’t “right.” Wicked people seem to thrive & “have it all” & the more wicked, the greater their “benefits.” While godly people suffer & it seems to never end. Habakkuk challenged God, “How long is this going to continue?” (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

The Psalmist asked the same question over a dozen times (along with other Bible writers). Job also asked the question in Job 7:19; 19:2 & in Job 24:1 he asked, “Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment?” Job wanted to know WHEN it was going to stop! He wondered if God has set any limits on the pain that we endure. Read the rest of this entry »

The American Heritage Dictionary defines racism, 1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others. 2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

Racism is often associated with the white supremacy movement of the 1950′s, or the apartheid era of South African politics, or the racial cleansing in Kosovo, or the actions in WWII Germany by the Nazi party. However, racism is still alive and well today. News articles constantly criticize white leaders who are not politically correct in their speeches.

However, racism is “discrimination or prejudice based on race.” The most basic accusation leveled against white racists is that they “favor one person over another based upon race.” What is NOT popular (politically correct) is to recognize that some black people are equally biased against persons of the white races. Read the rest of this entry »

Along with millions of others this weekend I watched the US Open Golf Tournament. I spent some time Monday watching live coverage of the playoff online (I love technology).

Saturday I watched Tiger Woods “gut it out” as his recently surgically repaired knee attempted to derail a stellar round of golf. Sunday he again had to hit shots and wince in pain because of his knee. I’ve talked to several people about these rounds and Tiger’s ability to play through the pain. The response has been mixed.

Some agree with me, that it was a great round by someone in pain, and incredible to watch. Others have said, “it’s a good thing he had the knee thing to cover up the fact that he hit bad shots.” They accused him of wincing only after hitting bad shots…FAKING IT.

It really is all about perspective and personal opinion, and everyone has their own. As a leader I realize that there are people who view me in this same duplicit way. Some will view an action or decision as honest and forthright, while others may question my motives and integrity.

In my development as a leader this further drives home the point that you can’t please everyone…and wouldn’t you know it…that’s one of my biggest struggles. I’m a people pleaser, and it’s hard for me to make decisions that I know others won’t like. Early on I felt the need to justify every decision, and try and explain my motives for every move. It was exhausting.

Is this a struggle for you? How do you combat it?

Link to the original site