So glad this didn’t happen in our Living Nativity…
But on a bright note, the Cedar Springs Post had a couple of nice things to say about us (you can read the article here). And if you missed it earlier, the pictures from our Living Nativity are all uploaded here.
Employers and pastors both have the important task of putting people into positions of responsibility. Employers do so to make their businesses more profitable; pastors do so to expand the Kingdom of God.
But employers do something that pastors often miss: They hire the right person for the job.
Check out this verse:
Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.
Simply put: Kenaniah was in charge of the singing because he could sing; he could carry a tune; he had skill; his singing was pleasant to the worshippers in the tabernacle. This word skillful also implies that he knew how to teach others too.
You give someone the job because they are skillful at it. Not because their feelings would be hurt if you gave the job to someone else, not because you hope giving them the job will boost their self-esteem. This is just as true in the church as it is in the business world.
The way I read the Bible, everyone has a talent. One of the roles of a shepherd leader is to find the right place for every person’s talent. Pastors do a disservice to both the individual and to the whole church body when they give someone a job for which they do not have the God-given talent.
…and what are you doing with it?
I read an interesting verse about King David:
And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.
“David knew” reminds me of a line from Jesus’ life: Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power (John 13:3).
David and Jesus both knew that their positions of leadership were God-granted. And with that knowledge, they both wanted to further expand God’s Kingdom.
They didn’t keep the power for themselves; they didn’t lord it over others; they didn’t hoard the blessings; they didn’t use their leadership for personal gain; they used their God-granted authority to serve others.
They were confidently humble leaders.
If you are in a position of leadership, it’s not for you nor is it because of you. Leadership is from God, through you, to benefit others and to expand His Kingdom.
What do you know about leadership … and what are you doing with it?
UPDATE: This is one of the seed thoughts that went into my book Shepherd Leadership: The Metrics That Really Matter.
This is a weekly series with things I’m reading and pondering from Oswald Chambers. You can read the original seed thought here, or type “Thursdays With Oswald” in the search box to read more entries.
General Maxims
(a) If you lack education, first realize it; then cure it.
(b) Beware of knowing what you don’t practice.
From Approved Unto God
I know the maxim for some is, “Fake it until you make it.” I can’t do that. I won’t do that. The Bible has a word for doing that: Hypocrisy.
How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,” when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Luke 6:42).
But just as bad is when I know what I’m supposed to do, and then make excuses not to do that. The Bible has a word for not doing that: Sin.
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it (James 4:17).
Dear Harrison,
Another year has gone by, and I continue to rejoice in the godly young man you are! Right from the very beginning, your Mom and I knew there was something special about you, and this has become more and more evident with each passing year.
I love our conversations when you are fully engaging your intellect. You challenge me to think more deeply and to see things from a new perspective.
I love that you have the same quirky sense of humor that I do, so that we can laugh at the same things.
I love how respectfully you treat your Mom, especially now that you practically tower over her!
I love watching you gently and lovingly interact with the kids at church, showing them a picture of a true man of God.
I love that you choose to make so many sacrifices to your schedule to be involved with ministries and activities at Calvary A/G.
I could go on and on and on….
Bottom line: I love you!
Another year has passed, and you have given me so many more reasons to rejoice in the fact that you are my son. To paraphrase the words of our Heavenly Father, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Happy 16th Birthday, Harrison,
Today is Pearl Harbor Day. For my parents’ and grandparents’ generations, this was their “9/11.” I’m still saddened when I think of the unprovoked, cowardly attacks on both December 7 and September 11. But I am grateful that we have only had two such attacks within our borders.
Today is a great day to remember, to mourn, and to thank our military personnel who responded so courageously in the aftermath. These, I believe, are appropriate responses.
But every day is our day to respond appropriately.
Let’s show our gratitude for the safety we have in this country every day.
Let’s find ways to live out our thankfulness every day.
Let’s show our thanks to our servicemen and women and our law enforcement officers every day.
Remember … and then respond appropriately every day. God bless America!
I’m so proud of our team for putting on an incredible Living Nativity in Cedar Springs this past weekend!
It was a rush job to begin with (see a previous post where I talked about God moments by clicking here), but then so many people stepped up big time!
You can see all of the pictures Delbridge Langdon Jr took by clicking here.
I want to give some shout-outs to our cast:
I also want to recognize Joe Palmer for his incredible set design, and Claudia Owens (my favorite Mom) for making all of our costumes.
And finally, thanks to the Calvary A/G family for praying for us and talking it up, and thanks to Chris Burns, the Cedar Springs City Manager, for inviting us to present the Living Nativity.
It was a great night, and I hope we can do this again and again for many more years.
Merry CHRISTmas!
I absolutely love this quote from Albert Einstein:
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
This is so right on. And can be so sad.
I run into so many people that have this terrible message playing over and over and over in their minds, “I’m stupid … I’m worthless … I don’t have any talent …”
Perhaps we need to find some water for these fishes!
Get it? Instead of trying to change people’s wrong perspective of themselves, let’s get them set up for success. Help them discover where they are a genius … where they are invaluable … where they are talented.
Gotta go… I have a few fishes I need to point to water.
Craig & Betsy
Twenty-six years ago today, Betsy and I went on our first date. My life has been immeasurably better because she has walked alongside me for all these years.
And, yes, 26 years later she is still the only one who makes my heart go pitter-pat like no one else!
I love you, Betsy… the only one who stole my heart away!
This is a weekly series with things I’m reading and pondering from Oswald Chambers. You can read the original seed thought here, or type “Thursdays With Oswald” in the search box to read more entries.
Whose Ideas?
Am I allowing anyone to mold my ideas of Christian service? Am I taking my ideas from some servant of God or from God Himself?
From Approved Unto God
My relationship with God is a personal relationship; it is unique to me. I can certainly pick up some principles from others, but the application to my life has to be what I hear the Holy Spirit speaking directly to me.
Don’t be a copycat. Be the original you that God needs you to be.
Craig T. Owens 