337 - Let's Get Personal

Heavenly Father - what a beautiful morning. We have been sleeping with the windows up, had the windows up for some time now, and I just love hearing or being awakened by all the birds singing. Ok - maybe at 4:30 it is not so pleasant, but anytime after 5am i love it!!

This morning I am in 1 Chron. 29:1-10 - oh it is really good. David is telling more about all he has saved up for the temple building - to be built. It is a massive amount of stuff, well not stuff, but materials, jewels, gems - all kinds of building things. Then in verse 3 David explains that he is also giving of his personal treasure. Oh this is good. It reminds me of many different things. We give our tithe and that is like giving back part of what God provided us. But then God will spur us on from time to time to give above and beyond that - an offering. Something personal that might even hurt or at best take an increased faith especially if funds are not there. Or I remember a friend fasting, the Daniel fast, and then God told them to step it up beyond what others may be doing - take it personal.

I praise you Lord as you definitely gave to us, all mankind, more than we could have ever dreamed - and still do. But then you took it personal. You sent your very own son to die for us - now that is taking it personal. Oh Father - I just want to say thank you for such a sacrifice. I don't think I go to the cross near enough. Thank you for the love, thank you for the grace, and thank you for showing us what it really means to die to self and give up all. Lord, have you called me to something personal and I just have not noticed or been willing. Speak to my heart and show me Lord. Show me the ways I have not "gone there" with you. Show me the areas that you are requiring more and where I may be stopping short of what you have in mind! Oh Lord, I want to be pleasing in your sight and I want to be obedient!! Oh, do your work, Lord.

The other quick thing that I love about this passage is in verse 9. "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders". Oh what a beautiful thing, but also a reminder. We are all leaders whether we want to or not. Some may be leading preschoolers, some are leading the world. But oh how important for those you are leading to see your sacrifices as well. Not in a bragging kind of way, but as example. I went to a church a few weeks ago in Kansas and this women's group was using another church for their retreat. The pastor of that church - no relation to the ladies using the church - was there the whole time and unbelievable in his giving. He certainly did not have to, but he wanted to! Then at my church recently when i spoke there we had a dinner and everything. My own pastor and other men served us dinner - even high school boys. The other thing that was impressive was my very own pastor helped me set up my resource table - purses and such! Now that is giving and sacrificing to me. What does it make me want to do - rejoice, sure, but then give back and help as well. Our church has this huge Memorial Day thing coming up and Clay and I have really struggled with what we are suppose to be doing. Sure, easy to give a few dollars to help another buy food or whatnot, but getting in their with the hands and doing something I think is even more sacrificial!! Oh Lord, show us!!

Lu Lu got fixed yesterday. Poor thing - just laying around and so tired. Kids are on a school count down! I am ready for school to be out. Going to close totally on this house today. Got more baseball practice. Going to the school to sell more purses on Wednesday - I am really excited about this. Tucker has his first zit, but has no fingernails to actually pop it good. hee hee God is good, all the time - I am sure! I love you!

216 - Where Did all the Leadership Go?

Good morning Lord Jesus, up and at 'em. Today we are going to hang tight and get some laundry done and just relax. I need to clean my house at least the bathrooms - for the first time. Still not something i am excited about. At least we can clean this house all in one day. Ha. Lord, we are still trusting you to bring us a buyer with an offer. Please move in that area. It would be so nice to have that part taken care of. Please Lord.

Today we have moved on a bit in my study and are looking at the sons that Eli had. Now when i found out more information about them it really makes me be more amazed that Hannah would leave her only child with such a man. Yes, Eli loved the Lord and would do everything possible to see that Samuel did too, but something happen in the raising of his own 2 boys. They were terrible and had no regard for the Lord. They took prostitutes from the temple and took advantage of people trying to worship. Due to their "leadership" alone, the Lord did not show up much according to chapter 3 of 1 Samuel.

So why would any one leave their precious child with someone that didn't even have good children to begin with? I really want to know where was Eli's wife, the momma of these boys, in all this? What happens when leadership goes bad?

I have been in that situation and i know i have probably been that for someone - the leadership that has disappointed i mean. I remember hearing one in leadership talk so rudely about another member and as i got closer to this person seeing that their life did not add up to a life devoted to the service of Christ. I was exposed to this very early in my life and it left a mark. Sometimes those marks in our lives are there simply to serve as reminders.

I want to quickly add that I know i have been the one to lead others astray because of my words or actions. There are times no matter what you do it will be misconstrued or misinterpreted. That is life. But at the same time i know i have let others down by opening my mouth and saying things that should have never come out. I have been the one to make others question the service of the Lord and even caused one to stray from the Lord. I do not know of any exact examples, but i know me well enough to know it must have happened some. Lord Jesus, forgive me for those times and please do your awesome work to draw that person back to you regardless of my words and actions. It is terrible thing to happen, but please in Your mercy and grace allow that person to see another role model that has it better together and one more worthy of looking to for leadership. Train me Lord. Show me how to do things your way and seal my mouth in the process. Holy Spirit control every millimeter of me!

So what do we do when leadership has left the building? First of all we must know who we are to really seek to follow, our Lord Jesus. He will always be the one to look to and gain knowledge and direction from. But i must remember and understand what i think the Lord is saying to me this morning. Just because leadership moves away - just by location or in closes to the Lord (sin draws them away) it is no excuse for me to close up shop and put my Bible down. God does give us humans to lead us and give direction, etc., but when that leadership has failed we are not to give up or give up on church, etc. I see it way too often. Feelings get hurt in the church or so and so acts in a manner unbecoming of one in the ministry and people drop out by the hundreds. Instead of "griding up their loins" and really buckling down, they drop it all together. So in essence, the leadership has failed and you are upset about their misbehavior and judge them roughly. But for some reason we excuse ourselves from sin of neglect because our feelings have been hurt or our leadership pedal stool has been knocked down. It can't be. We must press on and look to the one that is perfect and One that will never disappoint. Jesus - Jesus - Jesus!!!

Lord, i love you. Thank you for your never wavering leadership and You constant perfection. You are amazing. Guide me. We all have people following us. I know i have 4 very important people in my life watching everything i do. Help me to be worthy of following - i am not sure that could ever happen. Just help me Lord to be honest in my life and with my life. I want to be real, but not lead others astray... I love you...