privilege | Craig T. Owens

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An Awesome Privilege And Responsibility

November 13, 2018 — Craig T. Owens

…Joshua the high priest… (Zechariah 3:1).

The way that God talks about Joshua the high priest is quite informative for anyone in a position of godly leadership.

From this passage [Zechariah 3:1-10] we learn that God’s leaders are…

… standing in God’s presence
… opposed by satan
… protected by God
… anointed, empowered, and inflamed by God
… cleansed by God
… admonished by God to live up to the highest standards of righteousness
… given rewards for their righteousness
… used by God to accomplish His plan

Being a leader is an awesome privilege and responsibility! This is not a position anyone should seek for themselves (James 3:1; Jeremiah 45:5).

A mark of a godly leader is one who feels the weight of God’s calling.

This is part 31 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: accountability, Book of James, God's calling, high standards, Jeremiah, leadership, privilege, responsibility, spiritual warfare, Zechariah. Leave a Comment »

The Fearful Privilege Of Being A Pastor

February 17, 2015 — Craig T. Owens

I was studying the life of the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel, and I jotted down some thoughts in my journal of what God was speaking to me. But I also felt like this was a message for my fellow pastors as well. So here are my unedited thoughts, just as I penned them in my journal.

The Lord said to me, “Son of man, look carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I tell you….” (Ezekiel 44:5).

I have to take personal responsibility for this. This is not something I can pass off to anyone else―“instead of carrying out your duty in regard to My holy things, you put others in charge of My sanctuary” (44:8). No, never!

I have been given the privilege and heavy responsibility for souls in this community. I must, therefore, hear what God has to tell me about this city and these people. He knows, and He wants to share with me. He calls me to look carefully, listen carefully, and give careful attention to what He’s saying. He is desirous that everyone in this community will see His radiant glory (43:2), and―wonders of wonders!―He has asked me to deliver His message of life to my community.

Who am I that You would choose me? But you have, and I am grateful. I am also filled with holy dread that I carry out my duties in a way that pleases and glorifies You, my King. I need Your help. I need to hear Your voice. I need Your Spirit to stamp the image of Christ ever more clearly in me.

May I only live to bring You praise!

Posted in Pastoring. Tags: Bible study, Ezekiel, God's glory, journal, Old Testament, pastoring, pastors, privilege, responsibility. Leave a Comment »

4 Quotes By And About Abraham Lincoln In “Humility”

April 28, 2014 — Craig T. Owens

I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. David Bobb’s book Humility (you can read my full book review by clicking here). The book was partially a challenge for us to cultivate this virtue in our individual lives and in the fabric of our nation. So Dr. Bobb uses several biographies of notable Americans to illustrate the power of humility. These are some quotes by and about Abraham Lincoln.

“Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored.” —Abraham Lincoln

“Nowhere in the world is presented a government of so much liberty and equality. To the humblest and poorest amongst us are extended the highest privileges and positions. The present moment finds me at the White House, yet there is as good a chance for your children as there was for my father’s.” —Abraham Lincoln

“[Abraham] Lincoln’s navigation of these almost impossible waters was not without mistakes. What distinguished him from many others, however, were his ability to shift his course without ever losing sight of his destination and his willingness to admit when he steered awry.” —David Bobb

“With our limited understanding we may not be able to comprehend it, yet we cannot but believe, that He who made the world still governs it.” —Abraham Lincoln

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Abraham Lincoln, American history, book review, Civil War, David Bobb, genius, government, humility, liberty, privilege, quotes. Leave a Comment »

Ho Hum, It’s Election Day

November 5, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

Sadly, that’s the attitude of far too many people in the United States of America. And it’s flat-out wrong!

If America is to stay true to the designs of our brilliant Founding Fathers, we must vote intelligently. In this age of easy internet access, there is no excuse for you not to find out where each candidate stands. So get informed and go vote!

Almost 90 years ago President Calvin Coolidge had some challenging words for Americans which should still grab our attention today—

“All the opportunity for self-government through the rule of the people depends upon one single factor. That is the ballot box…. The people of our country are sovereign. If they do not vote they abdicate that sovereignty, and they may be entirely sure that if they relinquish it other forces will seize it, and if they fail to govern themselves some other power will rise up to govern them. The choice is always before them, whether they will be slaves or whether they will be free. The only way to be free is to exercise actively and energetically the privileges, and discharge faithfully the duties which make freedom. It is not to be secured by passive resistance. It is the result of energy and action. … Persons who have the right to vote are trustees for the benefit of their country and their countrymen. They have no right to say they do not care. They must care! They have no right to say that whatever the result of the election they can get along. They must remember that their country and their countrymen cannot get along, cannot remain sound, cannot preserve its institutions, cannot protect its citizens, cannot maintain its place in the world, unless those who have the right to vote do sustain and do guide the course of public affairs by the thoughtful exercise of that right on election day.” (emphasis added)