A Noe-ticeable Difference in Education!

We will be visiting Noe Middle School tonight as Elliott searches for a middle school. He has considered several schools but I believe Noe will be his choice.

A song that echos today's Verse of the Day - Romans 5:9

I’m forgiven because you were forsaken.
I’m accepted. You were condemned.
I’m alive and well, your spirit lives within me.
Because you died and rose again.
Amazing Love, how can it be,
That you my king would die for me.
Amazing love, I know it’s true,
And it’s my joy to honor you.
In all I do, I honor you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dooif2-yAoI&feature=related

Show me Your Glory!

Exodus 34:6 - Moses was a person like us. There were times when he was very close to God and very sure of God. And, there were also times when he felt uncertain and spiritually dry. Moses had been on a mountain top with God and in the valley with God.

You can relate, right? One day is great and another is not so great. I believe that one day Moses decided that he could not live with these ups and downs anymore. He wanted to be done with his questions and uncertainties. He wanted God to come out of hiding. He wanted to see all there is of God and to see it now. "Now show me your glory," Moses said to God (Ex 33:18). "Show me your face; show me Yourself in all Your glory, power, might, wisdom, honor, and blessing. Let me see You, God.

Are you willing to make the same request? Show me Your Glory!

Trust

I have been asked many times, "How do I know I am trusting God?" When asked this question, I share the verse Proverbs 3:5-6!

I don't want to make it sound so simple but trusting God means that I don't lean on my own understanding...I don't lean on my own knowledge...I don't lean on my own abilities!

Mighty to Save

I'd like to challenge each of you to begin finding the Biblical Inspiration for the songs that many of us sing on Sunday mornings and at other times throughout the week. Here are the lyrics from a popular song - "Mighty to Save" based on Zephaniah 3:17.

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)


Christian lyrics - MIGHTY TO SAVE LYRICS - HILLSONG AUSTRALIA

WHY DO PEOPLE FOLLOW?

According to the book Strengths Based Leadership, a Followers' Four Basic Needs are Trust, Compassion, Stability and Hope. What has happened to the usual list of wisdom, humor and humility? According to 10,000 followers, these are still important but they are not the top needs of a follower. If you consider yourself a leader, then you need to embody trust, compassion, stability and hope.

-TRUST: At any level of leadership (church, organizational, school, etc.), the words you say hold power. Respect, integrity and honesty are the outcomes of strong relationships built on trust.

-COMPASSION: Caring, friendship, happiness and love were other frequently mentioned words followers used when asked what leaders contribute to their lives. Each leader has to have a heart. People who feel cared for are much more engaged and offer more to the group or organization.

-STABILITY: Followers want a leader to provide a solid foundation. Followers count on their leaders in times of need. Stability increases the security of any follower.

-HOPE: Followers also mentioned words like faith and guidance. They want to know a great future lies ahead. Give followers something to look forward to in the midst of chaos and complexity.

Be a champion of others!

ASK GOD FOR A MOUNTAIN

Excerpts in my own words from John Ortberg's book "The Me I Want To Be."

Millions are spent by companies each year to find the right "Logo." My favorite "logo" is the swoosh by Nike. It's classic and never goes out of style. If you were to choose a logo for your life, what would it be?

Luke 9:23 "Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me"

Would anyone choose a means of execution as their logo? Really? A Cross? A means of execution? Crosses were a means for killing people. Devised by the Persians and popularized by Alexander the Great, the cross was perfected by the Romans as a means of deterring rebellion. How about choosing a logo that represents power and knowledge instead of something that represents death?

Think about a "logo" for your life. When Jesus invited his followers "to take up the cross and follow him" - it was a call to spiritual greatness in the mysteries of sacrificial love.

Now that you have your logo, think about asking God for a mountain. Ask him for a challenge bigger than yourself.

I'm asking for a challenge that can keep me growing, learning and uncomfortable and hungry.