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When God Calls Your Name
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).
God it is evident that it is time to grow. God help me to see the cues and to use every opportunity to seek you out, to serve you and to demonstrate your love to others.
God help me to be always faithful; even during dark times. Give me the faith of Paul; the courage of David and the resiliency of Job.
God I pray that through your divine spirit, I can truly motivate with my words, model through my deeds and heal with my touch. I pray that I will live the truth and be a good steward of your trust in me. Amen
Has God called your name? What has God impressed upon your heart to do?
My Eyes On God
“My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:15 (NIV)
I decided to check several other versions:
“…for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.” (The New King James)
“…If I keep my eyes on God, I won’t trip over my own feet.” The Message Bible
Oh yes, that’s the one for me; “I won’t trip over my own feet. How many of us have done that—trip over our feet or put our foot into our mouths.
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God, this verse speaks to us today. How can we go wrong, if our thoughts are always on you? Who can hurt us, if our trust is always in you?
God as we hunger for you; guide us toward your truth and teach us your ways. We don’t want to falter; nor do we want to hurt or to be hurt.
Our wish is to serve and to show others your way. Amen
Just Believe
While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jarius, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?’’ Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:35-36.
This scripture brought to my remembrance the struggle I had trying to define leadership. I wanted leadership to be more than just a word; I wanted and needed the word, leadership, to be an ongoing living and active statement. Then I realized that leadership is about faith; it is about not limiting your possibilities to the visible. It is about drowning out the noise and believing that there’s more to life than what meets the eyes. Then it came to me: “Leadership is unlimited when you believe in something bigger than yourself.”
What is your definition of Leadership?
Leaders Look Beyond The Obvious
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
The bible is filled with stories of leaders looking beyond the obvious. Two such stories illustrated Joshua’s perception of current events (see Deuteronomy 1:22-38; Joshua 5:13-6:20). How about David slaying the Giant or Peter’s visit to Cornelius’s house (Act 10:9-48) or how can we forget how Jesus looked beyond the obvious, with the raising of the little girl that was announced to be dead. “She is not dead; she is sleeping (Mark 5:39).
Let’s us not forget our modern day saints who changed the world, such as, Reverend Troy Perry who made it possible for “queer people” to embrace Christianity and believe in a living God again; or the Reverend John Shelby Spong who helps us to look beyond religion and theism to understand the love of God.
It is not necessary to only look at religious figures who challenge us to look beyond the obvious. Consider Barack Obama who fought the odds to become our first black President of these United States with the theme, “Yes We Can.” Or Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com which has changed our methods of buying, owning and reading books, or Steve Jobs who brought Apple back from near extinction. Who can refute what the internet and the likes of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, have done to our political landscape and to our world.
I am sure you know of people, not so famous, who have made your world a better place because they looked beyond the obvious. Let’s not be like the many birds in the picture looking in the same direction. Find the bird that’s looking in a different direction. That’s the one we often need to follow. So what do you see differently that could be changed to improve your life or those around you?
I know it’s hard when you are struggling. What have you been struggling with? Have you taken the blinders off and looked at things in a different way? You are not alone, I am trying too. As I wrestle with the obvious, I know God is asking me to look at things differently; to look beyond the obvious. I pray that you will do the same when you are faced with life’s challenges.
Never Give Up
I don’t know what your lot in life has been or will be in the future, but here’s a prayerful thought that I offer you
Photograph and graphic design by Jim Whalen
Miracles Witnessed
Waiting for something better? How soon we forget the miracles of our past and yes, even the miracles of today. Today, I want to share with you a prayer that I shared with my faith community on August 1, 2009 and later published at Upward Edge (www.upwardedge.com). It’s time to share it again. I hope that this short prayer will bring to your remembrance your everyday miracles.
MIRACLES WITNESSED
“So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?” John 6:30
God help us not to forget the miracles we have witnessed in our life time. Don’t let today’s burdens make us forget your love for us and your willingness to share our yoke.
God help us not to forget the miracle:
Of having a place to call home
Of having that job to pay those long overdue bills
Or finding that special friend and the love of our life
God help us not to forget the miracle:
Of being parents—when we and others thought it was not possible
Or re-uniting with family and friends that we thought were long-lost
God help us not to forget the miracle:
Of having spiritual mentors and heroes who strengthened our faith
For witnessing the physical healing of family and friends; we thought would long be gone
Of holding the hands of a dear brother as he departed this world or to be in the presence of friends as they too left us.
God help us not to forget your peacefulness, your assurances and the promises you have laid on our hearts.
I pray that as we remember the miracles in our lives that we will use our “gift of living” to help others who have forgotten their miracles— to bring hope to the hopeless; to provide shelter for the homeless and like Jesus feed the thousands.
When we remember our miracles we, like Jesus, can speak boldly the words of Isaiah 61:1-3a:
“The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon (us)…; God has sent (us) to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…; to comfort all who mourn; 3 and provide for those who grieve…”
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Will you share with us your miracles?
I Don’t Know The Answers
It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” 1Corinthians 13:11.
I don’t know the answers Lord. I don’t even know the questions. Here’s what I do know. I know I need you in my life.
Have I been a child too long? Am I depending on you to feed me, to embrace me and to assure me at every step?
Where is my faith; help me to exercise my faith; to grow in my faith. Help me to put away childish thoughts and to begin to reason like an adult “full of wisdom.”
When I become that adult will mysteries unfold and visions realized? Will I then live out my life’s mission–to do something good everyday; to make a difference in people’s lives; to allow my touch to heal and my voice to motivate? When I become that adult, will I be more like you Lord; showing people the Way?
O’ Lord, I don’t know the answers to life questions. All I know is that I want to pray, to bring people to the fold; to be like the Son. I know that life struggles will continue, that the sun will continue to shine and rain drops will continue to fall.
I don’t know the answers Lord, but I faithfully live knowing that You are my shepherd and that You are the answer to my questions; to all of life’s questions. Amen.
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Published on April 11, 2009 at Upward Edge (www.upwardedge.com). Visit that site for great thoughts on Leadership
Miracles & Mysteries
This short prayer came to me as I was reading Dr. Myles Munroe‘s book Becoming a Leader” and at the same time watching the inspirational movie, “The Ben Carson Story.” A very touching story about prayers, determination, od’s love and miracles.
I serve a wonderful God. He is a God of miracles. He is a God of love. He is a God of mysteries. He shares his mysteries and miracles to those that truly seek him out and to those who are not afraid to share God’s miracles and mysteries with others.
God, thank you for your gifts of mysteries and miracles; help us to embrace your gifts and to use your gifts to benefit humankind. Amen.
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- What miracles have you experienced in life?
- I love a great story; what mysteries have God revealed to you?
- Are you using the gifts God has given you to benefit humankind?
Take My Fears Away
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4).
Oh God, take my fears away. My work is chaotic, my future uncertain, and I feel that I have so much to do. Where will I be in this new future?
Oh God, take my fears away. Trying to figure how I fit into the cosmos; trying to learn about you and your creation. Everything is so uncertain. My emotions are mixed; frightful, full of anxieties, to possibilities and hopeful transformation.
God take my fears away. I truly want to succeed. I truly want to make a difference, to make a mark; not for my sake, but for the sake of those hurting; those that are hungry, abused and oppressed.
God, take my fears away. It seems that death is more inviting and knowing than to debate with this world’s everyday drama. Where do I fit into all this; not knowing is too hard and too difficult to figure out. It seems easier just to close my eyes; I don’t have to wonder anymore; not to be frightened anymore; not to give any more…, but God, I know you can take my fears away.
It is written in Psalm 34:19 that “A righteous man may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all…” God, I am one of your faithful servants; and I seek to be a righteous person; one of your anointed ones. Therefore, I am not a quitter; never have been and never will be. I know that during times of fear and uncertainty you are there. I must be willing to put my trust and my hope in you. I must be willing to let you truly be in charge.
So God even through my fear and anxiety, I am reminded of your love. I will trust that LOVE to guide me and bring me new possibilities and deeper love for you. Let us pray.
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Dear creator how can we doubt your love for us? God prepare us for trials, but also remind us that even through our toughest trials and fears that you are there with us. Remind us that you hear our cries everyday and when we allow you to be in charge; patiently waiting to discern your will, that all will be fine; even through our tears and fears. We pray this in your Holy Name, Amen.
When God Calls Your Name
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).
Last week I published an essay on Upward Edge (www.upwardedge.com) entitled “Factors to Consider When Deciding to Lead.” After publishing the essay and receiving a comment from one of my loyal followers, I began to meditate. Although my words are in the first person, I strongly believe that my words are genuine to all hopeful and called leaders.
God it is evident that it is time to grow. God help me to see the cues and to use every opportunity to seek you out, to serve you and to demonstrate your love to others.
God help me to be always faithful; even during dark times. Give me the faith of Paul; the courage of David and the resiliency of Job.
God I pray that I can, through your divine spirit, truly motivate with my words, model through my deeds and heal with my touch. I pray that I will live the truth and be a good steward of your trust in me. Amen
Has God called your name? What has God impressed upon your heart to do? If all the factors are in place (see www.upwardedge.com); then you are able to repeat Isaiah’s words: “Here am I. Send me!”
Thoughts On Transforming Lives
To make a difference in people lives; to transform lives, you must not be fearful to lend a hand, to take risks. Remember that “The Lord is [your] shepherd; [you] shall not be in want” Psalm 23:1.
To make a difference in people lives; to transform lives, you must have patience. You must have patience in God’s timing. Patience gives time for preparation, learning in all forms and through all means, books, people and circumstances.
To make a difference in people lives; to transform lives, you must be assured of victory. “This is the victory that conquers the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4.
Faith is the key to transforming lives because God’s faith takes away our fear, it gives us patience, but above all it motivates us because God’s faith assures us the victory.
Tony Crisp
I want to transform leaders; primarily, leaders in our faith communities. I feel sharing one's faith journey and reviewing biblical and spiritual stories offer credible and viable examples of great leaders who transformed our world. More details about my training and consultant capabilities can be found at www.upwardedge.com.
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