Leadership

Monday and Tuesday were very long and busy days. That is a good thing because I feel like it was productive.

Funny how there is a difference between learning something by word and learning something by practice. I know many things about leadership, but am just now learning some basic things by experience. Being a leader requires one to be involved in the decisions of people for whom he is responsible. I took that for granted until I realized that my own good decisions are no longer sufficient. It's natural to care about the results of junior people's decision; it's an entirely different challenge to effectively intervene for the better. May God give me the eyes to see the way my people take, the discretion to judge between good and bad, the courage to take action, and the wisdom to do it rightly. I am miserably inadequate but have the desire to improve.

Little Zion

As I was leaving the ship after duty this morning, I found myself in small talk telling a friend I was going to church in Bellflower nearly two hours away. For some reason I always dread the question, "Why do you pass all the churches is San Diego to drive to Bellflower?" There is no good reason I dread that question, but I don't do what I do just to be different. I don't really even like to be singled out anyway. But to my discredit I never have a very satisfactory answer. I think what I said was mainly that there weren't musical instruments and people are more serious about the worship or something to that effect. I basically try to avoid dwelling on it. Why is it so hard? Maybe because I don't want anyone to think I'm arrogant. I mean the perception I think people may get is that I must think I'm real special if I have found more truth than all the thousands who gather in Jesus' name in San Diego. I rather believe it's a matter of humility, not arrogance; but I dislike even being perceived as arrogant. It's a matter of humility to me because I want to be in a place where the saints strive to please God, follow his instructions, bring glory to his name, and put our fancies and preferences aside for an hour and a half. It seems to me that most churches focus on what people can get out of worship, and how to get more people to attend. There is nothing wrong with gathering with a large group of people, enjoying live music, and hearing a motivational speech; but on Sundays I look for something more -I look for Jesus. Jesus promised that he is where two or three gather in his name, and I believe that requires unity (John 17:20-23). Unity isn't sweeping differences under the rug for the sake of getting along. Consider Acts 4:32 where those that believed were of one heart and of one soul and had all things in common. I believe in Sovereign Grace. I have nothing in common with a teaching that we help God compete with Satan and cannot worship with those who teach such. Perhaps I should simplify and just answer: "Because I believe in Sovereign Grace".

Today I was blessed to attend Little Zion and here Elder Joe Holder again. So grateful for his gift and his willingness to share his wisdom. I would try to convince you of the depth of his wisdom, but it would be so terribly against his spirit of humility. He continually points to Christ each Sunday and reminds me that all wisdom and glory is God's. He preached on 1 Cor 4:1-6. The ministers are servants God and not of man. What they give is not their own and if they go about trying to please men, they cannot please God.

 

Thankful for leave to be with family

I've just enjoyed two weeks of leave where I was blessed to be with my entire family, including grandparents. I flew out of San Diego in a blaze of chaos and met up with the prettiest girl I know, who rode with me from Oklahoma City to Ozark, to spend family day with me and my family. We ate good food, played games, and exchanged gifts. Why did God bless me with so many blessings? I have more than I can ever appreciate. I received a cute, personalized coffee mug with the faces of my neices and nephews between red, white and blue stars and stripes. Best gift ever. The next weekend I went to Washington, OK to meet her family and attend the annual meeting of Bethlehem PBC in Purcell. I had the best time with everyone. The whole weekend I felt at home. By Sunday I was surprised when I remembered I had met these people only Thursday. There are truly no finer folks anywhere.

I am amazed and very pleased that this girl sacrificed her sleep to ride with me across the state of OK to be with my family

I am going to try to keep a blog so that all my friends can keep up with how I am and what I am up to in the service. I am excited for what my future holds. All glory is the Lord's.