Who I Am

It is painful to confess this, but the honest truth is that I struggle with my pride on a regular basis.  My flesh wants to be acknowledged and patted on the back.  It wants to be honored for working hard.  It wants to be noticed.

If you do a quick Bible verse search on “pride”, it’s very obvious that it isn’t a characteristic that God wants in me.  So, my spirit is always in pride battle mode. 

Today on the radio program, we had Senatorial candidate Allen Weh come in.  He asked me if I “do the weather”.  I can’t relay the emotional response that a question of that nature generates in me.  I wanted to shout “I’ve been here for almost 8 years!  I’m the co-host!”  In retrospect, I think what I really wanted to shout was “I’m important too!  Value me!”

Knowing who I am in Christ and being firmly and confidently rooted in that identity is such a juxtaposition to worldly pride.  It’s a struggle for me.  The world expects us to celebrate our titles and accomplishments.  It presumes that our identity comes from our jobs, our affiliations, or even our sexuality. 

Today, I write to remind myself, and anyone else in need of a spiritual “pep-talk” who we really are.

We are God’s workmanship: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 
Think of yourself as a fine work of art that has been meticulously crafted by the Master Designer.

We are a new creation: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 
You may view yourself through the lens of your mistakes.  You may have shame from the past, but that record has been expunged!

We are loved, forgiven, sanctified, accepted, favored, and reconciled to God.  The list goes on and on.  Instead of thinking of yourself as a "just"--"just a mom", "just a student" or "just a delivery driver", begin to imagine your spiritual business cards with these new titles instead.

The beauty of God’s Truth is that who I am in Him, is so much more than I could ever be through human accomplishment.  Now, the real challenge lies in valuing our God given titles above those found in the world.  I won't pretend that a blog and a speech will instantly remedy this thinking.  However, acknowledging the struggle and turning it over to the Lord in prayer will begin to put us on the right side of the battle.

Lord, help me see my true value, and abandon self-promotion through worldly endeavors. Set me free from the bondage of pride and allow me to rest in the assurance that I have eternal value in Your eyes.  Let this truth sink deeply into my mind and spirit and let me rest in You.  Help me throw off everything that so easily entangles, so I can run with perseverance the race marked out for me. Let my eyes be fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Amen

 

A House Full of Strangers

Tonight is "National Night Out", an "effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, [and] neighborhood camaraderie."  For us, we used it as an "excuse" to open up our home to our neighbors in an effort to get to know them better (or at all).

The idea came to me at a recent Albuquerque Ministry Alliance meeting, where the speaker talked about the purposeful effort he and his wife  made in praying for the Lord to open doors of opportunity to love on their neighbors.  One thing led to another and they now have a thriving neighborhood network. 

I felt a sense of sadness that after 2 1/2 years in our home, we had hardly met anyone on our block.  Of those we had met, I barely knew their names.  So, after prayer and consulting Bob, our neighborhood open house was planned.

The experience of going door to door, passing out invitation flyers didn't go as I had imagined.  We had neighbors who rolled their eyes, closed their doors, or looked out the window and opt not to ever open the door.  I had somehow envisioned a 1950's TV sitcom response. It clearly didn't go that way.

Yet, over the next few days, the phone calls started to come in.  First one, then a few more, and finally 15 responded, saying they would attend.  Even as I write now, another neighbor called (expressing regret that a prior commitment would keep her from attending).

So tonight, my house will be full of neighborhood strangers.  My hope and prayer is that this event will serve as a catalyst, promoting friendship and trust.  I will try not to have unrealistic expectations about what will transpire.  As a wise man once told me "We are simply called to act.  We are not responsible for the outcome."  We acted in faith and have opened our doors.  The rest is up to the Lord.

Photo Lessons

Part of my duties at work include managing our social network pages.  As I was looking through photos to update our station profile, I came across a few that took me back and reminded me of some important lessons. 

This is a photo I took with June Hunt, Founder and CSO of Hope for the Heart.  She is an incredibly gifted and compassionate woman who I greatly admire.  Though she never married, she didn't allow her singleness to become a source of bitterness. Instead, she focused her time and talents into developing a ministry that has helped thousands around the globe.  Using her skills in Biblical counseling, she developed radio programs, a resource center and has written multiple books. At my first National Religious Broadcasters Conference, I introduced myself to her at the airport, and she in turn invited me to share a cab to the hotel (which she paid for in full).  Her giving, gracious heart will continue to bless me and all those that she touches.

George W. Bush impersonator, John Morgan, is quite an act.  His few non-comedic words to me the day we met were so profound that I went on to invite him to several radio interviews over the years.  His message: To be a believable Bush, he had to study the real Bush's every mannerism, vocal fluctuation, history and attitude. He had to so immerse himself in the study of Bush, that he would be mistaken for the real deal (in fact the FBI used him a time or two).  He went on to stress that we as Christians so have the same task--to so study and imitate Christ, that we as His followers would be mistaken for Him.  Wow!

Janet Parshall is the woman I'd choose to mentor me if we lived in the same town.  She's the smartest, most well-spoken, educated and professional woman I've ever come across.  She puts her faith first, honors her husband and values family.  She is not immune from loss and heartbreak as her son sadly lost his battle with cancer.  Yet despite bitter disappointments in life, she never fails to glorify God, respect those who attack her Biblical world view and commands respect at the microphone.  The host of "In the Market", Janet brings truth and love to a world that is starving for genuine conversation.

Finally, a picture of the pie assembly line at Heights Cumberland Church.  I was invited by Leslie Cumiford (on the left) to participate.  My daughters and I helped make apple, blueberry, strawberry and many other varieties of pie.  By the end of the day, almost 200 had been assembled!  These pies went on to be sold at the Asbury Pie Café during the New Mexico State Fair.  The money raised there helped the homeless and broken in our community. 

This day spoke to me of the great variety of personalities within the body of Christ.  We all have different skills and talents, but when we are operating together efficiently and respectfully, get works can be accomplished.  Whether you are gifted in making a flaky, buttery crust, or preaching from the pulpit, the Lord can use you and your willing heart to do great things for His Kingdom.

Hump Day

I love the late spring season as the leaves have fully emerged and the temperatures begin to climb, making the trek toward summer.  It's great to have more hours of daylight and the excitement is in the air as the school year comes to a close.

My one complaint about this particular time of year is the birds.  Up and awake, sometimes as early as 3:30am, they joyfully sing their songs as I try pointlessly to ignore their happy twittering and go back to sleep. Today is one of those days.

It's Wednesday, and boy does it feel like a "hump day" at this early hour. I'm realizing that I need to quickly make a decision about my attitude.  Yes, I got up earlier than I wanted to, but I can let my thoughts go to the dark and grumpy recesses of my mind, or I can stand on top of the hump and observe the world around me with thankfulness. 

If you are struggling up, or around a hump of your own today, here's a great verse that we can contemplate together:  "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5

This makes me envision those airline ramp agents, who, with the long, orange glow sticks, direct the airplanes into the correct bay for the passengers to disembark.  My heart needs directing sometimes. And really, is there a better feeling than when you are parked safely where you belong?

                          Photo credit Kris Klop

Happy Wednesday friends!

Catching up and taking the lead

It's been a very long time since I've sat down to write.  I can use lots of different excuses, but the bottom line is, I simply didn't make the time.

Yesterday, I attended the Leadercast 2014 conference that Love Inc. brought to the Albuquerque area by way of telecast.  It was a full day affair, and speakers included Andy Stanley, Dr. Henry Cloud, Laura Bush, and many others.  This year's theme was "Beyond You" and every speaker addressed what their understanding of leadership was in the context of the theme.

Within the first few pages of the Leadercast workbook is a quote: "Effective leadership requires us to look beyond ourselves and consider the larger community around us--to focus outward, rather than inward."  Indeed, throughout the course of the day, this topic continued to echo in my ears.  By late afternoon, I was rather convicted--I am terribly selfish. 

Working in ministry, I've often convinced myself that that alone, is a sacrifice.  After all, it isn't good pay, the rewards are few and far between, it's often very thankless, etc.  Yet, there have been many occasions where I've done (or not done) things because I simply didn't want to, because of discomfort, boredom, frustration, and inconvenience.  I didn't take the lead, because I wanted someone else to do the heavy lifting.  I didn't give my all because it wasn't my "job".  I didn't . . . You get the picture.

While this wasn't a "Christian" event, the idea of servant leadership comes directly from the pages of the New Testament, whether the speakers realize it or not.  Looking at the life and leadership of Jesus, there are endless lessons to be learned. One of the most interesting aspects, to me, is that he wasn't even a "leader".  Let me explain:
He wasn't the boss of the carpentry shop.
He wasn't a political leader.
He wasn't a military official.
He wasn't even a religious leader.

So what made him a man worth following?  We know clearly where his authority came from.  Yet for his disciples, and the people with whom he interacted during his lifetime, he was the ultimate servant leader.  He fed them, he healed them, he comforted them, he saved them!  Contrast that to what we often associate with modern day leaders: We reward them, we idolize them, we excuse their bad behavior, we envy them.

I'm not a leader in title, but I've known for a number of years that the Lord has given me a measure of authority through my work at the radio, and through my writing platform.  Sadly, there have been many times that my attitude has been one of complaining and excuse making rather than going forward boldly, imitating Christ as a servant leader. 

I will make mistakes, and I will forget my own lesson at times, but I was reminded yesterday through this conference, that I can have a positive influence.  I want to be different, and make a difference!  I can speak and act in a Christ-like manner.  I can stop making excuses.  I can lead. 

If you have a situation where you don't like your boss or your workplace, your church or your circumstance, I want to leave you with a final thought as communicated through speaker Simon Sinek at the conference yesterday: "We must be the leaders we wish we had."  In my mind, that applies to every platform from the family home to the White House.  We can complain all day long about the ineffective and corrupt people that hold positions of power.  Or, we can start with ourselves asking, what we can do to make a difference. 

This change will take time and patience.  We won't see the results overnight.  Sinek went on to say, "Leadership is like going to the gym--you can't see the progress on a daily basis."  It's only through dedication and consistency that will we be able to look back and see the changes that have begun to shape us, and those we influence.

So who's with me?  I officially promote you to leader.  Whether you are "just" a mom/dad/student, or run a corporation, you have been called to lead.  No more excuses.  Let us go forward together and become the men and women that Christ has called us to be.  He will equip us to make the difference that we hope to see.

The Stuff of Nightmares

This morning, scrolling through my Facebook page, I got two notices about abducted children.  Then, a few short hours later, an Amber Alert broke through to give the news of a 9 month old abducted right here in New Mexico.

Now, I read that the body of a 10 year old girl (likely that of one of the above mentioned abductees) has been found.  It's enough to make me sick.

Has the world grown that much more evil since I was a kid?  I've heard it said that its simply a matter of social/mass media getting the message out more quickly and wide spread than ever before.  I don't know the stats.  There may be just as many child abductions now as there were in 1985. Maybe I'm just so much more aware of them now, as a mother of two.

Last summer, when my 11 year-old asked if she could walk to the library (two blocks away) by herself, I felt stress wash over me.  Could I let her go out alone?  Would she be safe?  What if something happens?

I finally decided she could go.  I sent her with my cell phone.  I watched her walk away.  I stood in nervous anticipation to watch for her return.  She made it, and had a pride at having accomplished something independent.

How do we allow our children to grow up, when we are afraid to let them out of our sights?  One approach would be to dismiss my fears, saying "let them be kids and experience life".  I get that, but is it wisdom?  I could also shelter them to the point where I have instilled fear in their hearts, and eventually send them out for college afraid and unprepared.

There must be a healthy balance.  I have told them what to do if a car pulls alongside and someone tries to ask them a question.  They know that they will NEVER be picked up by a stranger.  They have been instructed where to kick, punch and bite.  They know how to let their voices be heard when a situation gets uncomfortable.  They are prayed for.

So what else do I do?  If they want to go out and explore life in all their childhood curiosities, I want to give them that freedom.  But that doesn't mean that I will forget my role as a mother and protector.  I will though, have to remind myself, that a city bus isn't an evil vehicle, a mall isn't the place where children disappear, and a bike ride isn't a journey to accident or death.

My heart hurts so deeply for those families that are missing children, or have gotten the word of their death.  There can be nothing more painful for a parent.  I pray for them that they will receive comfort in a way that doesn't seem humanly possible.

As we draw nearer to spring break, and ultimately summer vacation, I want my children to be armed with knowledge, but free from the anxiety that hurts my heart when I hear these terrible stories.  I don't want them to walk in fear.  I don't want to walk in fear.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

Writing Assignments

As I sat down this morning, I knew that I needed to spend some time writing. I needed to work on a banquet recap, begin working on a quarterly newsletter, and begin the next round of e-blasts. 

While I could address the banquet, I was looking for some inspiration for additional articles and turned to Facebook asking what others had been thinking about recently.  The answers surprised me and led to a whole new round of interesting things to write about.

Rodney suggested: What does life look like walking and living out Proverbs day by day?

Good question! I figured I better flip to a Proverb to start thinking about this.  I picked the 27^th. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. . .” vs. 1-2.

Pretty heavy for just the first two verses. While I don’t often boast about tomorrow’s plans, I do get caught up in them.  I can easily let my mind get trapped in the snare of trying to plan out every detail, fretting over aspects that I am powerless to control.  Usually, after an intense bout of stress and mental calculations, my expectations about how things would/should go, are altered by the reality of life’s unpredictability.  You would think by now I would have learned to “chill out”.  The Proverbs are right—you (I) do not know what a day may bring forth.

As for seeking praise, I apply that directly to business (thought it definitely has personal applications as well).  I can hoot and holler about how great we are as a station or company, but is that really going to make an impact?  Rather, if I let our hard work be praised by others, their testimony/recommendation will go much farther in the long run. 

Ed says: Given the availability of very large electronic databases, if it is possible to empirically identify fascinating relationships between different seemingly unrelated variables in the field of corporate finance.

I don’t know Ed, but the questions going through your mind made me very glad that God created us so differently! I will say thought, that I’ve been surprised time and again at how interconnect things really are. While I don’t understand your financial world, it’s a vital part of our economy and affects my daily life.  My data, stored in a wide variety of databases, will help you make decisions that will in turn come back and impact me.  To connect you back to Rodney and his quest, I will have you contemplate Proverbs 27:23 which seems to be wise financial council: “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.”

Steve has a two year-old and is mulling over: The little train that could.

I assume he’s referring to the classic children’s book “The Little Engine That Could.” Now if that’s not ripe with writing applications, I don’t know what is!  While the “I think I can” mantra can be a great motivator, I need to remind myself that “I know God can, I know God can.” 

We all have mountains in front of us.  Some are financial, some are personal/relational and some are faith journeys.  While we need to keep walking, putting one foot in front of the other, our ultimate power needs to come from God’s engine. 

Kim writes: The rapture, Come Lord Jesus!

To Kim I say, “Amen!”  I too feel a sense of weariness trying to get up all of those mountains ahead.  Until we get to that finish line, we can walk with Rodney through a Proverbs daily life, look for how God can use us to connect with Ed and others and chug ahead with Steve. 

Finally, Renee is pondering: Walking with faith.

This is really what it boils down to, isn’t it?  I can think of no better verse to sum this up than “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.  Renee, I would suggest reading through Hebrews 11 to get encouragement from the testimony of those who walked up their mountains, holding firm to their faith in the Lord. 

A big “thanks” for all of you who shared with me what was on your mind.  Keep the ideas coming!  I don’t know many of the answers, but I serve a big God who does.  May He continue to use us, our talents, traits and curiosities for His glory as we work and think together.