A balancing act!
In the midst of t
he most disruptive event of my lifetime, a challenge for Christians in media is balance. The news media, social media, and every other kind of communication tool is flooded with the COVID-19 story. Understandable. It is THE big story of the century, no doubt. I have especially appreciated the creative humor with which many have approached the isolation and binge buying that has become the norm of the day. Some of it is quite funny!
As you know, I am a big proponent of what we used to call in our radio days “water cooler talk.” That was picking up on what people were already talking about (around the office water cooler) and using it as a starting point with on-air talk. It engages the audience with what is on their mind, then takes them further.
My biblical example has been Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman he met at the well. He began by engaging her at her point of reference...drawing water...and then moved to telling her of the spiritual water that once she tasted she would never thirst again.
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13-14 NLT
But notice, Jesus didn’t keep talking about physical water. He moved to the spiritual realm rather quickly. Then Jesus moved into other areas that were hard for her to hear...about her marital situation. Yet as a result of that exchange, many came to know Christ as Lord.
Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” John 4:39 NLT
So, here’s my point. As you use your media platform to inform people of the pandemic, the need for isolation to “flatten the curve,” to religiously wash their hands, and other important directives...don’t forget the Gospel. A person who survives the coronavirus and has not accepted Christ as Lord is still lost and on their way to hell. They need the Gospel. They need Jesus.
Balance.
Yes...use today’s important issues, the thing on everyone’s mind, to engage them in discussion and to share good information. But look to quickly move on to the only thing that ultimately matters, the saving knowledge that God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. And that if we acknowledge (confess) our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all wickedness...all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Be sure that those who connect with your ministry and are looking for hope find the eternal hope that Jesus offers to all.
I might be OCD...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It can be a serious problem for some people. For many of us who are sometimes labeled OCD, it is a way people classify those of us who are a bit detailed in some areas. I have family members who say I am OCD. Just because I change the toilet paper in hotels so it feeds over the top (the correct way, of course) or straighten hanging pictures...in other people’s homes...doesn’t mean I’m OCD.
One website describes the disorder this way:
"OCD" is one of those terms that some people misuse as a way to describe people who like things super-clean or arranged just so. But if you have the actual condition that’s obsessive-compulsive disorder, how it negatively affects your life is very real. -WebMD
I have a friend who was described as being so OCD that she says she is CDO...being sure the letters are put in the proper alphabetical order. I grew up hearing again and again, “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Is that OCD?
My desire is not to make light of a very real mental disorder that can have many levels of anxiety and be debilitating for some people. But it did get me thinking of spiritual applications.
I hope I am obsessed with knowing Jesus more and more each day. I hope to be obsessed with living in such a way as to faithfully reflect the nature and love of Christ to those around me. It seems to me that the Apostle Paul was obsessed in that way.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NASB
Evangelist Greg Laurie spoke of Paul’s obsession.
“The apostle Paul had something essential for effective evangelism: a God-given burden for those who did not know Jesus Christ. In his case, the burden was for his own people, the Jews. He cared. It burned inside him.”
I hope my desire to study God’s Word would almost become a compulsive behavior, repeated again and again. Not simply going through the motions or becoming anxious about it. Rather, driven by my understanding of God’s great love for me and His desire to communicate with me through the pages of the Bible, I want to systematically and repeatedly dive into God’s Holy Word to see what He would tell me today.
As for the word disorder? It depends on how you look at this. To the lost of the world we know that our spiritual lives are foolishness. We have heard politicians talk about Vice President Mike Pence as being mentally ill because of his deep relationship with Jesus Christ. Many cannot comprehend that God communicates His love and direction to us through prayer, the Bible, and even the circumstances of life. Foolishness. And to say that the Lord Jesus “speaks” to us sets many off on a tirade about how unbalanced Christians are.
I want to live so close to God and His Word that nothing else gets in between us. So maybe I’ll change OCD to mean something totally different for my life.
Only
Christ
Directs
Now, let me go straighten a couple of pictures on my wall.
So, you want to be a leader...
First, let’s get something straight. We are all leaders...to one degree or another. It may be in our home or among our friends. It may be the Lord has placed us in areas of leadership in ministry. And if we are honest with ourselves, we sometimes feel inadequate to be in that role. Very few of us have a degree in leadership. However, many of us desire to be the leader that God has called us to be.
Of all the leadership books that are out there...and there are a zillion of them...the best ones for me are those based on the principles found in God’s Word and based on amazing biblical leaders. Spiritual Leadership by Henry and Richard Blackaby comes to mind, along with Lead Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges. I would also include John Maxwell’s books that draw primarily from Christian principles in guiding leaders.
Having said that, there are many things we can also learn from those who have researched leaders and leadership. Many of us have gained from studies by Jim Collins in his classic book Good to Great. These examples help us identify traits that successful leaders have and allow us to analyze our leadership style to see where we can improve.
I recently came across a list of traits of exceptional leaders compiled by leadership blogger/writer Glenn Leibowitz. Many of them sound like traits taught by the Lord through His Word. Here are some of Leibowitz’s inspiring leadership traits. How many of these traits do you exhibit?
Traits of Exceptional Leaders
- They trust you to do the job you’ve been hired to do.
- They seek your advice and input.
- They find opportunities to let you shine.
- They recognize your contributions.
- They have your back during tough times.
- They are master storytellers.
- They challenge you to do bigger and better things.
- They express appreciation.
- They are responsive.
- They know when to apologize.
- They give credit where credit is due.
- They treat others with dignity and respect.
- They care.
How would you score? Where could you improve? What if you presented this list to those you lead? How would they score you?
When the Lord moves us into leadership roles it is not to build us up. It is to build up His work to accomplish His purpose. And he doesn’t move us into leadership to fail. If we learn from His Word and give attention to our own heart and attitudes toward others, we can become extraordinary leaders who accomplish much for God and His Kingdom.
I boil my leadership guide down to four words.
Love God. Love people.
My basis for this is from Jesus, who, when asked what the greatest commandments were, responded this way:
“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 22:37-39 NLT
How will you score today? This week? Lead on...
What? No website?
Can you imagine a highly successful business today without a website? Unthinkable. Yet my friend Raymond Harris who grew one of the most successful architectural firms in the United States did just that.
No, that wasn’t the reason for the company’s success. It was an illustration of the philosophy Raymond embraced that served him and his company for decades. And it is a philosophy that can help us honor our Lord as we serve Him and others.
In his wonderful book, Business by Design: Applying God’s Wisdom for True Success, Harris talks about humility as a key character trait for those seeking to reflect God’s nature and serve effectively. He uses Jesus’ familiar parable of those attending a banquet, found in Luke 14:7-11. The Lord noticed all who were coming to a dinner were trying to take the best seats near the head of the table. That must have been quite a sight. And Jesus turned it into a teachable moment. He told those at the dinner that it is better to take a lower place. To be humble. If you try to take a seat of honor, someone more important may come in and you will be embarrassed as you are made to move down to the end of the table. And the lesson is clear.
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 14: 11 NLT
This principle holds true for our businesses and ministries as well as for us as individuals on the team. Remaining humble in our spirit and in our actions allows the Lord to lift us up as He sees fit to do...for His purpose, not for our ego.
Raymond Harris also reminds us of Jesus’ teaching on this idea of being great in God’s Kingdom. Jesus said we need to be humble like little children. And this can be seen in these traits:
• Teachable
• Faithful
• Obedient
• Dependent
• Vulnerable
• Innocent to worldly ways
• Quiet before elders or authorities
• Hopefully optimistic
What would it be like if your ministry or business were filled with people who had these traits? What would it be like if those of us who are in leadership positions would also exhibit these characteristics? Remember, Jesus said He came to serve. He did not glorify Himself but let God do so. On more than one occasion God’s voice could be heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
And what about not having a website? Raymond Harris writes that he wanted to guard against losing that sense of humility by advertising how great they were as a company. To that end he built an amazingly successful company without even having a presence on the internet or advertising in architectural or business magazines. He let the company’s actions do the job.
Now, the point of this message isn't about websites or advertising. It is about the spirit of the heart as we serve our Lord and serve others. The world pushes us to demand our lofty place at the table. The Lord tells us to humble ourselves and He will lift us up in due time, on His timetable, for His purpose and His glory.
No, don’t go zapping your website, and then proudly announce what you have done. That would be like telling everyone how humble you are. Just live before those around you...your staff, your volunteers, your family, your friends...in a way that shows the humility of your heart.
A winning team!
It got me thinking of the task of assembling teams for ministry and work. How do you identify good team members, and how do you prepare them for success?
John Maxwell in his Maxwell Leadership Bible looks at the team that Jesus assembled to be his disciples. Tax collectors, fishermen, those who were unloved and showed little promise from a human perspective. Yet the “team” Jesus identified and taught became the team that shook the world!
From the account in The Gospel of Mark, Maxwell points to examples of this group the Lord called, and posed some questions based on his observations.
- What positive qualities exist that may be seen as negative behavior? (I think of Peter, who said things and did things without thinking them through.)
- Do the individuals show initiative, even if it has been misdirected?
- Would these people add positive chemistry and unique value if placed on the team?
- Are they hungry to become more than something they are now? (“You are fishing for fish. I’ll teach you how to fish for men.”)
- Do they demonstrate passion that could be redirected [toward God’s goals]?
- Could they play a needed role on the team?
I’m sure there are other qualities and traits that can and should be considered. However, these speak to the issue of identifying things in a person that, if channeled in the right way, can lead to a strong team and can accomplishes great things. Yes, Jesus had a lot of teaching and training to do with the rough men he chose. However, He was willing to invest years in the lives of His team members...His disciples...so that they might ultimately be a powerful force even after Jesus was gone.
As I have watched the Dallas Baptist Patriot baseball team have winning seasons year after year, I have thought about the recruiting of new team members. Many of them were overlooked by much larger schools with big budgets. Yet these players have shown that with encouragement and an investment in training and development, overlooked athletes can become elite team members and achieve great success.
Final note from the baseball analogy: DBU baseball coach Dan Heefner tells his team to get one percent better each day. That seems to be a small, highly accomplishable thing. One percent better each day.
What if your team got one percent better in using media to share God’s Hope with those they serve? What could be accomplished in your ministry with your team...for the sake of the Gospel?
Spinning your wheels...
When Judy and I got married, almost 53 years ago, we honeymooned near the Texas Gulf Coast. And as we started for home, I wanted to do what my family had often done on trips to Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. We pulled off the highway to cross a path through some small sand dunes to get to the beach. We wanted to spend some time walking along the beach, hand in hand, listening to the sound of the surf and the gulls as they flew overhead. Sounds romantic, right?
It would have been romantic...except for one thing. The sand dunes. My car got bogged down in the soft, dry sand and I couldn’t go forward or backwards. I tried to dig out the sand from around the wheels with my hands, but nothing worked. I was stuck.
After a while a man came along with a shovel and we tried to dig some more. Still stuck. I would press the accelerator, the wheels would spin, but I could not go forward or backwards. It was frustrating and very un-romantic!
Eventually someone in a truck passed by who had a chain and he was able to pull and jerk my dad’s 1963 Chevrolet and get us on to solid ground. I was thankful for a rather good ending to this true story.
I must confess, there have been other times in my life when I felt frustrated and it seemed like I was spinning my wheels. No matter what I tried, the end results were not good. Maybe you have felt that frustration, too.
In the Old Testament book of Haggai, the Lord addressed His people with an explanation of some of their “wheel spinning” situations.
Listen.
Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! Haggai 1:5-6 NLT
It sounds liked God’s people were spinning their wheels. And the Lord explained through Haggai what was going on, why His people were having so much trouble. They had been putting themselves and their comfort and prosperity above the Lord. Earlier God quoted what the Israelites had been saying. “The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” (v.2) Yet, He said they were living in luxury and His house was in ruins.
I wonder how often we have neglected the important things of the Lord in order to be comfortable. I wonder how many times we have overlooked God’s will and God’s way so that we might fulfill our own ideas. Have I put myself and my plans above those of the Lord? Have I said, in effect, “Lord, I have a better idea. I’ll get around to You and Your way later.”
Listen to God’s Word:
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5 NLT
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
A bit later in Haggai we see God’s promise to His people when they decided to put the Lord first and they began work on the temple.
I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you. Haggai 2:19 NLT
Let’s stop spinning our wheels. Let’s be sure we are putting the Lord and His ways...His plans...first. And then let’s see what happens in our lives and our ministries as the Lord keeps His promises to us. He is faithful!
You can say that again! And again...
• Tell the audience what you are going to tell them.
• Tell them.
• Then...tell them what you told them.
That’s true for everything from beginning speech class right on through to the ministry leader or the corporate CEO. What is amazing is how many leaders think they are communicating when they are not.
My friend Don McMinn recently wrote about this in a blog, and he pointed to a study that was done a few years ago.
In their book The Leader’s Voice, Clark and Clarkson wrote, “The biggest problem with leadership communication is the illusion that it has occurred. A 2002 survey of 1,104 business professionals showed that while 86% of their leaders feel that they are great communicators, only 17% believe their leaders are, indeed, effective communicators.”
In that study, the authors identified four assumptions that leaders make that hinder good communication:
1. Listeners understand what was communicated.
2. Listeners agree with what was communicated.
3. Listeners care about what was communicated.
4. Listeners will take appropriate action.
If number one doesn’t happen, the other points are...well...pointless. People need to know what you are saying and retain that in a memorable way. Maybe that’s why God told Joshua over and over, “Be strong and of good courage.” (Joshua 1 KJV) Maybe that’s why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4 KJV)
The other points mentioned above are valuable in order to be sure that what you say takes hold with those in your audience. The Bible talks about being doers of the Word, not just hearers. The listener needs to understand why they should care about what you are telling them. In other words, why it should matter to them. And for these points you may need appropriate feedback from the listener.
Many times, you can read your audience, seeing the intensity of their eyes as you speak, the nodding of their head, the note taking, and other body language tips.
To be very sure, it is a good idea to get direct feedback. Asking the listener a question can help you know if you got your point or points across. Asking them their opinion, what they think about what they heard, will tell you if they agree with you. And asking them what steps they think they should take as a result of what they heard will start them on the path to be more than a hearer, to be a doer!
Now that I think about this, I should probably have a form for you to fill out with these kinds of questions that you can send back to me. However, I’ll trust you take this to heart so you might be a better communicator and can lead more effectively to accomplish what the Lord has for you in ministry and life.
Where are today’s big miracles?
When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple. The priests could not enter the Temple of the Lord because the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. 2 Chronicles 7: 1-2 NLT
I came across this passage in my early morning Bible reading and wondered: What would it have been like to be there when this miracle happened? The fire from heaven. The visible presence of the Lord. The awe and wonder at His glorious presence. And then I thought...
Where are today’s big miracles?
Why don’t we see these things today?
That started me on a brief journey on the subject of miracles. Pastor John Piper says that there were fewer miracles in the Bible than we probably think. And he points out they had very specific purposes...to point people to God.
Piper also says that there are probably more miracles going on around us today than we understand. The stories of God at work around the world…through the lives of missionaries, in lands hostile to the Gospel, in dire situations in our land or yours...if all were known, we would likely be awed by the hand of God showing Himself in a miraculous way.
The reality is that most of the people of the Bible did not see great miracles...but they learned of them through the telling and retelling of God’s faithfulness. Jesus performed miracles to verify His authority as God’s Son. He gave His disciples the ability to do miraculous things in order for the people to see and comprehend the fulfillment of God’s salvation through His Son Jesus.
Even then, Jesus didn’t heal everyone. Nor did His disciples. Jesus raised three people from the dead, but many he did not. There were those around Jesus who suffered and died without a miracle in their lives. Even His disciples suffered for their faith, most dying painful deaths at the hands of Christ’s enemies.
So, what about today? And what about the lack of miracles of biblical proportions? Pastor Piper explains:
“Christianity is basically a life lived by looking back with confidence in the work of Christ, and looking forward in hope because of that past...”
In other words, we shouldn’t need to see the big miracles in order to live out our faith. We can trust God for His ability to do His work in our lives, and then look forward with hope for the future.
And what about miracles today? I have four children whom God brought into our family in miraculous ways. One biological child and three adopted ones. I have often made the comment that it took eight parents to bring our four children into this world. But by God’s miraculous grace, we are one family.
We all have probably seen a life changed by the power of God’s Holy Spirit and we can say it is only a miracle of the Lord. Some people receive miraculous reports from the doctors that they are healed, or that cancer previously detected is now gone. A modern-day miracle. But that doesn’t happen in every case. The fact that God even answers prayer is a miracle when we realize that the great God of the universe doesn’t owe us anything.
It may also be that we aren’t looking for God’s miracles today. It may be that our faith isn’t so strong and that those special experiences don’t’ happen. Ultimately, though, we need to remember that God is Sovereign. It is His will that determines if something miraculous happens.
And it is for His purpose, not our personal experience.
Of course, our own salvation is a miracle of God. He has no reason to save me, except by His miraculous grace. And that is a miracle we should be telling over and over...that others might come to know our Lord Jesus. Then we would experience another miracle...another life changed by Christ Jesus.
Christian media is NOT the answer
Nope...Christian media is NOT the Answer!
What? I’ve given much of my working life to Christian media. My focus at MEDIAlliance is Christian media. Is this some new revolution? Some new technology? Some new tool?
No. I’m just looking into God’s Word and trying to be sure what we do is on target, that our hearts are right, and that we are understanding the power the Lord gives us. And I found the answer in the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 4 we read of a woman who was kind to the prophet Elisha by building him a room on her roof. In return, Elisha blessed the woman who greatly wanted a son. The prophet told her in one year she would give birth to her first son. And she did.
Fast forward some years, and this treasured boy dies. And the mother heads straight for Elisha. She obviously felt the man of God could do something. Elisha starts out with her to her home where her dead son is lying. Then Elisha does something unusual. He sends his rod...his staff...ahead with his servant with the instructions to lay it on the young dead boy.
Then Elisha said to Gehazi, “Get ready to travel; take my staff and go! Don’t talk to anyone along the way. Go quickly and lay the staff on the child’s face.” Gehazi hurried on ahead and laid the staff on the child’s face, but nothing happened. There was no sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and told him, “The child is still dead.” 2 Kings 4:29,31 NLT
Why did the prophet do that? Undoubtedly, he knew of how God had used a rod in the past to do miraculous things. It worked before, right?
If we had been writing the story the boy would have been revived and been playing in the courtyard when his mother and the man of God arrived. That’s not what happened. The boy lay in the room dead. What went wrong? It seems Elisha knew right away.
The prophet went into the room with the boy alone and did something unusual. The Bible graphically describes how Elisha lay down on the boy,“...placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands.” (v. 34)
I think we can easily see the picture of Elisha lying prone on this young boy, totally covering him. He does this twice and then the boy revives. Amazing.
I really thought about that in relation to what we do in Christian media. We see God at work and we celebrate these amazing things. I have great stories of hundreds coming to Christ, or even one person who could only be reached through Christian media. So why am I saying Christian media isn’t the answer?
Christian media is only the way...one way...that God’s message and the power of the Holy Spirit gets transmitted to an individual. Useful tools, but not the reason someone’s life is changed. It is God. His power at work. It is the Gospel. Today’s media tools are just that...tools. If the technology changes, the Gospel will still be the power that changes lives.
Notice something else about this story. It wasn’t until Elishatotally committed to bringing that boy back to life that it happened. The prophet couldn’t just send a servant with a tool. It took total commitment...total investment...for the work to be accomplished. For all of us who use Christian media...radio, television, social media, the internet...we can’t just “phone it in” and expect great things. It is never the tool that brings about a change in someone’s life.
Christian media isn’t the answer. Our total commitment to God and what He wants to accomplish will make the difference as we depend on the Lord Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yikes! I’ve got to speak in public!
The fear is often there with us at one level or another. We are called on to speak in public...to present our ministry or share new plans to a board or donors. It may be that we have the opportunity to talk before college or high school students. And if we are honest with ourselves, we are a bit nervous about doing it.
Most public speakers, even those who do it often, would admit to various levels of nervousness or even fear. And that’s not a bad thing. Often it drives us to prepare better...or it should. Yes, there are times when we are called upon in an impromptu setting to speak. It is in those times that we must fall back on our prior experiences and apply some simple principles...such as have an interesting opening, know the audience, and simply be yourself.
I recently came across an article by Sean McDowell. I don’t know Sean, but I have known his father, Josh McDowell, for many years. In the blog, Sean listed nine tips for public speaking. I won’t list all of them, but here are a few that may help you next time you have the opportunity to stand before others and share a message.
Public Speaking Tips by Sean McDowell
• TELL STORIES. People love stories. Jesus communicated by asking questions and telling stories. The first time I ever spoke at a weekend retreat my dad offered me three words of advice: stories, stories, stories. People also remember stories well.
• SPEAK WITH PASSION. I love listening to speakers who really care about their subject, regardless of what it is. It’s important not to overdue passion and sound like a salesman, but if you speak with genuine passion people will listen.
• PREPARE WELL. My dad spends about an hour of research for every minute of a talk. This may not always be possible, but you will be much more confident and effective if you have prepared well. And the audience can tell.
• IF POSSIBLE, HAVE ONE KEY POINT PER TALK. People typically forget the majority of what they hear in a talk within a few hours. But they remember stories and the key theme of a talk (if it was communicated well). Have one key point you want the audience to remember and repeat it and support it with stories, illustrations, examples, stats and more.
• START STRONG. Even though I have been speaking for a decade, I still get nervous every time. One of the ways I am able to overcome my nervousness is to start with a story or joke that immediately connects me to the audience. This helps me build confidence and sets the pace for the rest of the talk.
• BE YOURSELF. I made a lot of mistakes early in my speaking career by trying to have the same speaking style as my dad. While I’ve learned some amazing tips from him, I’ve become much more effective (and genuine) as I’ve learned my own personal style. Learn from others, but ultimately be true to your gifting, passion, and style.
• LOVE THE AUDIENCE. One of the best ways to win over an audience is to truly love them. My dad does this by showing up early at every talk to meet the audience and shake as many hands as he can.
I saved one of Sean’s points for last, because it is a great one to remember each time you speak.
• TALK TO GOD BEFORE YOU TALK TO PEOPLE. Only God can change someone’s heart, not persuasive words or arguments (although God may use our efforts). I try to always pray for wisdom, understanding, and love for my audience before every talk. It’s about God, not us.
What will be the one point you want to leave with your audience next time you speak? Do you want them to remember you...or remember God’s message to their heart? Many are searching...not for your wisdom and insight...but for that of the Lord. Like the Greeks who came to Philip, many are saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
Speak well...and show others Jesus.
