How would you like to be known as “barren Elizabeth”? It was considered almost a curse in Bible days to not have children. It was assumed there was something in a person’s life in which God was not pleased. Zechariah and Elizabeth were good, Godly people, yet they had no children and they were past the normal age of childbirth.
For a few days I want to focus on the character of Zechariah from the Christmas story. Zechariah was a priest. As a pastor and leader, I have a special heart for those in the ministry. Zechariah was a man who strived to live a Godly life. He and his wife, Elizabeth, from all Biblical indications, was a couple committed to doing the will of God in their lives.
It always seems to me that when a celebrity is involved in scandal even Christians forget the frailty of man or the power of redemption for God. I’m personally praying Tiger Woods seeks wise counsel, changes his life direction, restores his family, and even returns to golf. I will miss watching his game. More than anything, however, I’m praying Tiger Woods falls on his knees before a holy God and receives mercy, grace and forgiveness. It is as available to him as it is to me (or you).
We had the deal of all deals presented to our church a few months ago. Because of the people involved I can’t share details, but it was one of those “too good to be true” scenarios. It came from nowhere and totally rocked my world for a few weeks. I personally had 80 to 100 hours invested. It was going to be huge.
We spend too much time in life trying to decide who and what we should be and which decision is best for us? Should I vote Democrat or Republican? Should I go to a state school or a private university? Should I be Baptist or Nazarene? Should I go to that movie or not? Do I trust that pastor (or blogger) or some other who seems to contradict?
Has 2009 been a difficult year for you? I continue to hear from people what a stressful year 2009 has been for them. I know it has been in my life.
I learn so much from other leaders. One of the purposes of my blog is to help with leadership development in the church and among other believers. I decided a great way to do that was by interviewing some leaders I admire. In the coming weeks, I will do a series of interviews with leaders.
Matt Chandler will never be the same. If you do not know Matt, he’s an amazing pastor in Texas that recently had brain surgery at 35 years old. In this video to his church before the surgery I was reminded that Matt will be changed
I have stopped being surprised when I receive criticism. In fact, I have observed that the more success an organization has and the stronger leadership exhibited, the more critics seem to rise. I try to discern which criticism is valid and which is not. (I posted about that previously HERE.) I think it is wrong to simply ignore critics. Some of it has really value, but all leaders will receive it. For that fact, we shouldn’t be surprised.
The life of a believer is not always rosy. I’m quite sorry if you are new to the faith and that surprises or disappoints you. Sometimes the outside world assumes that because we claim to know God personally that we have somehow risen above the stresses of life. That is far from the truth.
