Finished reading Al Mohlers Conviction to Lead last week. I will post a summary of the book and some pointers at a later date; however, one characteristic described by Mohler that "hits home" - "The Leader Knows that Time Is the Great Equalizer of Humanity." Mohler goes on to state, " I find myself constantly humbled by the fact that I am limited to the same twenty-four-hour days that Abraham and Jacob knew. The scarcity of time is the great level of humanity, affecting the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless." No matter where we lead or who we lead we are all limited by the same amount of time. The question remains, "what will I do with the time God has allotted for me today in order to fulfill His mission?" Time is indeed a valuable resource to be used for the Glory of God. If I, as a leader, desire to leave a legacy I must utilize every moment to further the mission given me by God. I desire to recognize "key moments" in time to communicate my convictions in each area of leadership God has graciously given me. More on time later, but for now I want to cultivate a "tender loving care of time" in my life as a leader that I may lead impressionably for the kingdom of God. I urge every leader to read Mohler's Conviction to Lead for great practical insight into effective leading.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/27/us/nypd-officer-rafael-ramos-services/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

Saddened by the murder of officers Ramos and Wenjian Liu on the streets of New York. First, as men created in the image of God and then as men who sought to protect the citizens of New York, Ramos and Wnejian Liu should have been valued and respected. Their deaths are tragic due to the nature in which they were taken and the flagrant disregard for those who "protect and serve." Though the death of every officer in the line of duty is tragic, this "execution style" death causes us to morn even deeper as those who represent the law where targeted. Evident from the funeral of Officer Ramos, he was a man of honor who found pleasure in serving others. Those close to him say he "loved God" above all else and sought to serve on an even greater level by pursuing an education in chaplaincy. His pastor stated, "He was a man of great faith, and his faith informed his worldview, not just as a police officer, but as a husband and as a father." What Ramos believed informed they way he lived. What a challenge to the follower of Jesus. Would this be said of me? Would this be said of you? 

Though we grieve with our brothers & sisters who are facing physical torture & death for the sake of the gospel, we rejoice that Christianity provides hope that extends well beyond buildings & relics. I am challenged this morning by this article to pray for the boldness of my brothers & sisters as their are imprisoned & tortured for their exclusive faith in King Jesus. May the eternal hope & pleasure of the gospel sustain them, strengthen them, and satisfy them in these days. I am furthered challenged to pray for the conversion of some if not all of the ISIS religious "psychopaths." The Apostle Paul once zealously murdered Followers of Jesus, but the grace of God rescued, redeemed, and redirected Him.   May the beauty & glory of Christ shine in the eyes & souls of these militants that they may find true hope. You can read the article here.

Life Transforming Power - Reminder

How often we need reminding that Jesus Christ, who is alive from the Dead, has life transforming power. He came that we may have life and have it to the FULL. Here is a reminder of how He transforms the lives of those we as society may consider beyond help. David Wood WAS a sociopath who was found by the Author of Life. A powerful display of how ones philosophy of life leads to decisions making as well as how the Christ of God displays the power of the Resurrection today as He did some 2,000 years ago. Watch here

"Winning the Battle"

Enamored with sexual innuendos and images, many Christian men (and women) fall prey to the "sexually free" ideology of the day. Many Christian leaders, some well known and some unknown, sacrifice their character and leadership positions due to sexual temptation. The Scriptures are clear that no even a hint of immorality is to be present in the life of the believer; however, the temptation to succumb to such remains powerful. Randy Alcorn provides good insight and instruction in his short booklet called Sexual Temptation: Establishing Guardrails and Winning the Battle. He provides good guardrails in the life of the believer in overcoming sexual temptation, while pointing the Christian to the Scriptures as the main source of transformation. Some Guardrails like: "counting the cost of sin," "accountability," and "confession and repentance" are highlighted by Alcorn, all Biblical concepts, to aid the Christian in overcoming the powerful temptation. In an age of "easy access" to much pornography, I urge men and women to Battle this great temptation, which if heeded, can destroy your family and render you "cripple" in God's kingdom work. You can find Alcorn's booklet here.

Here is an article worth reading in our "sexually explicitly charged" culture. Tim Challies reminds us of the high cost of engaging ones mind in pornography. Sexual immorality comes with a high cost, a cost we must not be willing to pay for such a temporary "fix." Christians are not exempt to this grave and costly temptation, thus we, the church, must be aware. 

Francis Schaeffer states, "[Psalm 36] forms an excellent backdrop against which to see the unfolding of biblical history. It sets the conception of God as Creator in proper relation to man as creature and worshiper."

136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

2 Give thanks to the God of gods, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

4 to him who alone does great wonders, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

7 to him who made the great lights, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

8 the sun to rule over the day, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

11 and brought Israel out from among them, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

16 to him who led his people through the wilderness, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

17 to him who struck down great kings, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

18 and killed mighty kings, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

20 and Og, king of Bashan, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

21 and gave their land as a heritage, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

22 a heritage to Israel his servant, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

24 and rescued us from our foes, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

25 he who gives food to all flesh, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, 

for his steadfast love endures forever.