A stitch in time saves nine

We have all heard it but what does it mean? "A stitch in time" is an old English saying that means to stitch a small hole quickly before it becomes a larger one. Great lesson!

Not a lot surprises me anymore. I am however, still amazed when I see people who face worsening problems dismiss them as if they will take care of themselves. Problems don't fix themselves. Now here's a shocker: God doesn't usually fix problems solo either. Most of the time the Lord will send the answer or remedy to us with instructions on how to apply the fix. It is our job to remain in right relationship with the Father and be able to hear and see and embrace the instructions when they come. One of the great "cop outs" in the Christian world is, "I'm waiting on the Lord". Of course, we know the Lord does have a timing and it is critical that we discern that timing and make sure our actions fit within his time frame. However, all too often the delay is on our part and we like to shift the blame of procrastination to Jesus.

I watched a guy once spend two years at home in "prayer for a job"! What a farce! He wanted the perfect job. Actually, he wanted what he thought was the perfect job. That is not God's way. God is a God who brings "the job" to a person who has taken the initiative and gotten "a job". Ask yourself the question today: "what area of my life is undone because I haven't taken any initiative?" I am convinced that many answers to prayer are delayed not because God hasn't answered but because there has been no "faith activity" on the part of the one needing the answer. When Teresa and I were first married we were transferred to San Diego by the Navy. Teresa had just graduated from business college and had not been able to get a job. My meager pay left us in a bind. We weren't in trouble yet but a week of delay would cause us to be behind the eight ball. We were praying for help. We went for a walk and passed a Denny's restaurant. There was a sign in the window that said, "Dishwasher wanted". I said to Teresa, "I'll be back in a minute". I came back out in about 5 minutes and said, "go on home, I'll see you later, I have just been hired and have to go to work"! I worked there washing other people's dirty dishes for several months as a second job. Teresa did find a job and our financial world improved dramatically. However, before that happened, this little job proved to be a life saver for us. I didn't want to do it but it was a job! Looking back on that experience I know the Lord opened that door and I learned a lot from it. Yes, Jesus wanted me to wash dishes!

Take some initiative. If you need to sell your house, clean it up. If you need "the job", take "a job". Begin to act in line with your need. Procrastination is faith in reverse. It can actually hinder the provision of the Lord. Remember, "a stitch in time saves nine".

Dealing with Distractions

Being an old golfer and one who loves the grand old game, I have learned that one of the most important aspects of the game is focus. It has been said that the game has to be won between your ears first before you can win on the course.

In any endeavor, one has to learn to block out everything that is in competition with the task at hand. I was thinking about the leadership of Toyota. While it is important that the company deal with their quality control issues, the primary leadership team must stay on point remembering that their job is planning and building arguably the best cars in the world. The President of the company has to address the problems and lead through this season but he better not lose his focus on his main goal.

Leaders must learn this valuable lesson. We all have to deal with crises on a daily basis. It's a part of the job. However, the quicker you can diagnose the problem, get a fix in place and get back to your primary responsibility, the better. As spiritual leaders, we must know that there are enemies that are bent on doing nothing more than distracting us. In the old days of the cold war and communist aggression it was difficult to understand the thinking behind the agenda of communism. What could they possibly gain by stirring up trouble all over the world. If they would see a dissatisfied sector in a society, they would make an appeal to help them overthrow their government or leadership. Then I got it. They believed that chaos in itself was a plan. If they could cause a distraction, the government in power would be forced to stop what they were doing and be forced to deal with the chaos. Then in the midst of the storm they might gain access and control. Control is what all enemies want to gain.

In the church world it is important for leadership to learn this lesson. Stay on point! I gave this example to a great young pastor recently. As a word of encouragement to him I said, "don't let the distractions on the sidelines keep your head out of the game and cause you to lose on the field". Being a lover of sports, he got it!

Let me encourage you to focus and stay on point with that which the Lord has called you to do.

Observations from visiting a new church, hoping to assist church leaders.

On the road again in my RV. We attended another church Sunday where we were not known nor did we know the congregation. I'm getting into to this as I have never been able to do this because of ministry responsibilities. It was a relatively new church launch with a lot of young believers and a lot of excitement. The church was a part of a National fellowship of churches that is known for a lot of growth and new church launches. Because I am a church planter/launcher, and because I now oversee churches and ministries, it's difficult not to "oversee" when I attend a new church. I have to blank it all out and make a decision to love, blend and worship. I did a fair job and didn't allow myself to process the service until after I left that afternoon

Here were my observations: First, the church was moderately friendly. About two people welcomed us when we entered. It is not unusual to attend a new church and have no one greet us. I know that sounds strange but it is true. We should all work on that. Just as we were a little "sheepish" upon entering an unknown congregation for the first time, I could tell the people were a little nervous about us as well and that was probably why we weren't welcomed more warmly. The building was a store front which is where most new church launches start once they leave the home setting and start trying to reach a community. The building was very clean and neat. The service opened with a young man welcoming the group. He was a little nervous which didn't really "break the ice". The worship team started the worship and it was average. They didn't appear to be worshipping as much as trying to get through the mechanics of the songs. That tends to put a hindrance on the congregation and stops a real flow in worship. It can keep a song service from turning into worship. A relaxed and comfortable atmosphere is so important to worship and fellowship. Of course a church has to use the giftings they have.

When we got to the speaker, the Senior Pastor took the platform. He was a gentle and kind young man. He did an adequate job through the message but at the end, he moved into a very personal story that had a dramatic impact. You could sense that this man was motivated to truly love and help people. He ended without a strong challenge for salvation, although it was included in his presentation. The endtire service was one hour. Then there was coffee and rolls and people seemd to be connected. Once again, as I mentioned in another blog about this earlier, this church is far greater in substance than is demonstrated on Sunday morning. The church is growing and vibrant. It is growing with average worship and preaching. The emphasis of the church is focused on having a real relationship with Jesus and one anohter.

For me it was obvious that this group was making a deliberate effort to focus on spiritual growth in their members more than having a "show" on Sunday. I noticed that they offered home/cell/support groups 5 nights a week which seemed to be their real life flow.

We are all trying to learn as we go and I'm still learning!