All too often I have seen a lack of leadership leave people and organizations frozen, unable to act, and eventually failing. I’ve seen it, you’ve seen it, and we will continue to see it. Unfortunately, that is an issue that we are facing head-on today.

I usually don’t talk politics in my blog. When I do, it’s usually just a summary of a recent event. However, today, I have to raise issue with just that; the lack of leadership. I’m not even going to discuss political parties in particular. I don’t want to get into the whole debate. I want to look at it holistically and non-biased. Today will be just about leadership.

This Friday, we face a mini-crisis called sequestration. This is simply a series of budget cuts that are automatically triggered due to the lack of action on the part of the government. If you want to read more about sequestration, you can read the Budget Control Act of 2011. In this Act, the government is required to cut approximately $85 billion from the budget immediately. That sounds huge. It sounds like progress. It isn’t. That’s $85 billion from $16 trillion. Translation? A drop in the ocean.

Every political side is currently blaming the other. That’s not news. That’s not news-worthy. What is at risk in this high-stake gamble is of no consequence to either party, but rather to those who put them there. If you are like me, you’re tired of it all. You’re sick of the rhetoric. Here’s what we need:

We need someone to step into the gap to make something happen. This person has to be a leader that can get something from both sides. We need a leader. I have seen nothing at this point that would lead me to label anyone in our current political stable as a leader. When was the last time we were this divided as a country? When was the last time that we so polar opposite on so many things? Where is the leader we are looking for to get something done? That’s the question. We can skirt around it and blame each group for lack of cooperation. That’s fine, but it does nothing.

What does all this mean to the common man? It’s like not having a household budget, and having one spouse always spending the money, and the other spouse wanting to keep the money. It’s one spouse blaming the other, and finger-pointing is common place. The home begins to crumble from within, and all because there’s no leadership, no plan, no one to stand in the gap and be willing to make the changes or take action. Each spouse has their family on their side explaining why it’s not his or her fault. The result is havoc, hurt, and usually divorce. In the bigger picture, we can’t just divorce our country.

We can, however, change them. It’s time to demand that our leaders actually lead.  It’s not time to plan for re-election; it’s not time to posture for gain. It’s time to represent the people. It’s time to take action. It’s time to lead.

We don’t have that currently. Sure, you might be able to name one or two people who you think are representing a particular group. Has that changed anything?  Have they stepped up and brought a solution to all people? Have they managed to bring a bipartisan answer?

Let me answer my own question; no. No they haven’t.

It’s time to pray.

What do we do? In a moment like this, we have to ask the right questions. What do you plan to do? What’s the answer? I’m not looking for what party should do what. I’m looking for a leadership answer. Do you have one?

Category: Failure, Integrity, Stand Up, Work
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I think I need to clarify some more. I need to build on what was in yesterday’s discussion. The discussion was in regard to not judging–finding no condemnation. What does that look like?

The church should be a place of refuge. It should be a place filled with people who are filled with the love of Christ, the One who did not judge others nor find condemnation in their past. Jesus looked at those with the dark past, the skeleton in the closet, and found–get this–compassion.

He looked at them and saw what they could be, not where they were. He saw them as people, not a statistic, not as a project, not as a charity, and not as a ministry!

Is it that way today? Don’t we have a tendency to label more than we love? We have to change. We have to look beyond what is face value. We have to look beyond the person’s past and see THE PERSON!

What would it take to see beyond the man’s adultery? To see the woman and not the pregnancy or the abortion? Even as you read those three words, your mind and emotions reacted. Something came to your mind. The question though, is what is your answer? When faced with that moment, what would you say? Could you show love the way that we are called to love? Could you look at him and offer him the friendship he needs? Could you look at her and see the pain she carries through your own opinions? Her hurt goes so much deeper than any pity you may have. Jesus knew that.

In Romans 8, we have a great example.

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

 11 “No, Lord,” she said.

   And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

It’s obvious, but it’s also not that easy, is it? It is time to go a little deeper.

Category: Stand Up
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Solomon was the wisest of us all, of all who have ever ruled or lived. As I go through Ecclesiastes, I have learned more and more. In chapter 7, he writes things that aim straight for our hearts—even today.

In the course of my life, I have heard both the praise and the complaints about me and things directed toward me. I have had it delivered to my ears in many different ways, and with many different intentions. What I have learned, though, is that no matter how it is brought, what is said, or anything else, I need to consider the source. When I consider the source, I must take into consideration whether or not that person is wise or otherwise.

Ecclesiastes 7:5-6, Solomon writes,

“5 Better to be criticized by a wise person
than to be praised by a fool.
6 A fool’s laughter is quickly gone,
like thorns crackling in a fire.
This also is meaningless.”

In verse 8, Solomon speaks directly to us about issues that are so prevalent amongst those of us called to be leaders (dad, mom, leader, director, manager, teacher). Solomon writes this,

“8 Finishing is better than starting.
Patience is better than pride.

Some may argue that the toughest part of trying to accomplish something is to actually start, not to finish. I would argue that isn’t true. As leaders, our strength should already be in starting something. The toughest part is finishing it. It’s not about being able to start it, it’s about being able to keep going when everyone starts to push back, when the resistance is strong, when the going gets tough. That’s where we need the resolve. Finishing is better.

To get there we need wisdom. That’s something you need to pray for and about. Even Solomon, the wisest of the wise, said that in verse 24, “24 Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find.” We can look for wisdom, but it is almost impossible to find. In verse 25, Solomon expressed it this way,

“25 I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness.”

That’s why I say we have to pray for it and ask for it. It’s not something we just “find” somewhere, or get in a self-help book. It’s too hard to find. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t seek wise counsel. Don’t misunderstand that. We all need someone who can speak wisdom into our lives, and we should seek that out. We just can’t seek it in that way alone. That’s wisdom for our lives.

Prayer: “My Lord, my God, I realize that I need You and Your wisdom. If even Solomon needed it, certainly I do, too. I need You to speak wisdom into my life, my mind, and my heart. Bring someone wise into my life that I can count on to do the same. Make me receptive to the words of the wise and indifferent to the words of the foolish. Your wisdom is what I need, to lead my family, to lead those who look to me for leadership. Help me to follow your lead. I love You, Jesus, and I ask all these things in only Your Holy, powerful name, Jesus, Amen.”

Category: Stand Up
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Let me first say that I am very excited about today’s blog. This marks the 100th blog here at Theonelesstraveled. I look back and can’t believe it! I have been blessed beyond belief to have had the opportunity to share what God is sharing with me. For those of you who read it, I say “Thank you!” Thank you for going down this road with me. You have allowed me the opportunity to do what I believe the Lord has called me to do. Over the past year, the blog has been an outlet for me to share what God reveals to me during my devotional times. It is an honor for me to be able to share that with you. I pray that you will continue to take this journey with me, and that the Lord will speak to you through the words He gives me to give to you!

This morning God gave me some powerful insight. If you are like me, you look at what is going on in the world and wonder how much longer we can last. Surely, Jesus has to be returning soon! The earthquakes are numerous; the situation in the Middle East is, well, dangerous. The unrest and wars and battles leave little to be at peace with in any situation. I look at all of it and wonder why He hasn’t come back already. Not that I’m particularly anxious; there’s a lot that I still want to see and do. While I want to see my kids get older and graduate and get married, and all that life can offer them, I shudder to think of what the world will be like when they get there. Are you there, too? Do you look at today’s happenings and wonder what God’s plan is? Where is He?

Peter addressed this in 2 Peter 3. This was as if Peter was reading my mind today. When you hear people say that we are living in the end times, what do you think? Well, the “end times” span the first and second coming of Christ. So, since He left this Earth to take His seat next to God, we immediately began the era of the “end times.” So, when Peter talks of this time, he, too, was living in the end times. Peter explains pretty well both the time frames and the reasoning of God.

In 2 Peter 3:8, Peter says, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.” See, God’s time table isn’t anything like ours. He is patient, and He is constant. He is the beginning and then end. But, if you’re like me, you know that He sees the current condition of the world. He sees the state of even the US. How many different ways has the nation failed Him? Turned its back on Him? How perverted and twisted our society is has surely made Him angry. So what is He waiting for? Why not come now and make this right?

2 Peter 3:9 is where Peter gives us the answer.

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

God isn’t late. God hasn’t forgotten. God isn’t leaving us. He is being patient. He is being merciful. He is giving everyone an opportunity. He sees what is going on around us. He sees the conflict in the world. He sees the way so many have turned their backs on Him and His ways. Because of that, He is waiting. It is not his desire that people should perish, should suffer, and should be doomed to an eternity separated from Him. That’s the last thing He wants. He gave His SON so that we would not be separated from Him. But, He also understands that there will come a time when everyone will have made a decision.

When that day comes, Peter says, it will be sudden with no second chances, and the world will be judged. In verse 10, Peter paints this picture.

“But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.”

No one ever expects a thief. No one ever walks into their home expecting to see that it was robbed and ransacked. It happens suddenly, while you are away doing whatever it is that you do. It happens while you are sleeping. It is never expected. That’s what it will be like. It will be unexpected, sudden, and final.
So what are we to do? What do we do while we wait? Do we get in our “holy huddles” and stockpile water and sardines? No. We go out there and live our lives in a way that brings others to Him. We live out our faith in a way that is light in the darkness, even if it seems weird to the world. Peter’s advice here is found is verse 14.

“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.”

Make every effort. Live a life that is peaceful and pure. Be the difference. Christ could return today, tonight, or 20 years from now. If He is being patient and waiting to give everyone an opportunity, it could be that someone you know. It could be that child, your spouse, your neighbor, your coworker, and yes, it could be you.

Prayer: “Jesus, Lord, Savior, Abba, thank You for Your patience. Thank You for the opportunity we have because of Your patience. Father, there is someone out there I know who doesn’t know You. You have placed that person in my life somehow, and I pray that You would open that door to speak truth and love into their life and heart. Help me to have that opportunity to let You speak through me to them. Father, if it is me, then I ask now that You would forgive me for the time I have been away from You. I accept You as my Savior, my Lord, my God. Help me, Jesus, to live the life that makes a difference. Help me to be a light in the darkness, and to have the courage to stand up when the world bows to lesser things. I love You, Jesus, and I ask these things in Your powerful, Holy Name, Jesus…Amen!”

Category: Stand Up
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It took me a while to realize that I had a problem. It wasn’t that it was hidden, or that it wasn’t obvious, but to me, it was tough to see. See, I love food. I don’t mean I like it a little, or that I like to nibble here and there. I mean that when I see food, I want it. When I am done, I am usually miserable. I eat too much. Even though I have been vegetarian (well, officially a pescatarian; a vegetarian who eats fish) for over two and a half years now, I still struggle with my weight. See, it wasn’t just what I was eating, it was how much I was eating. It doesn’t really matter if I am eating a pound of broccoli. It is still A POUND.

But lately I have been trying something new. Portion control. At first this was as radical as it comes. My wife makes great food, and I like to eat it. A lot of it! But now, I have started really watching how much I eat. And not just at dinner, but also at lunch. I have scaled back so much that now if I were to try to eat too much, my body tells me way ahead of time. It’s a warning that I am trying to go back to my ways.

I was reminded of this when reading 1 John 5 this week. See, there are a lot of things in life that we can make it a habit of doing, and even though it may seem as natural as eating just one more plate of something, it can still be wrong. We make practices of things that can harm us, harm others, or become stumbling blocks to ourselves and others.
John puts it this way in 1 John 5: 18-21:

18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. 19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

It’s about what we practice. It’s what our habits are that can be a danger to us. How can I call myself a Christian if I continue to ________? See in verse 18, John says we know we are God’s children because we don’t continue to sin. We don’t fall into the same trap over and over each day because that’s not who we are. We aren’t called to that kind of life style. So what do we do? We have to change our habits, for one, and we have to realize that we are not the same people. We have the power to change and not to be subject to the evil that is in the world and guiding it currently. We answer to THE GOD. He has the power above all powers. He has the answer to all the questions. He gives us the ability to conquer all addictions, all habits, all sins.

Look at the last part of verse 18 and then at verse 19.
“…for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. 19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.”

See what it says there? We are God’s. HE holds us securely. There is zero that satan can do about it. Once we are God’s, we are His. The evil one cannot touch us! And look at verse 19! It says the “…world around us is under the control of the evil one.” It does not say that we are under that control, just the world around us.
We are different. We have the ability to overcome everything that is around us.

If you are checking out this whole Christian thing, let me say this: You will have the ability and the power to overcome all the things that are holding you back. It won’t be easy. There will be a million doubters that will watch your every move. But, they are looking for the mistake. They are looking for the exception. Why? Because you will have been changed! You won’t be the same person anymore because you will now have the power to be who God has called you to be.

Paul backs this up in 2 Corinthians 5:17. It is there that he writes, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” You are a new person! Your old life is gone! You have a new life, a new chance, a clean slate. You have the opportunity that so few people ever realize is available to them; a chance to start over.

Here’s my advice. Take the chance. Even if you are already a Christian. Look at what your life looks like. What is it that you know that you know that you need to change? What is it that keeps you from getting closer to God, or closer to being more like Him? If you haven’t stopped to think about it, let me challenge you today to pray about it. Ask God to show you what in your life you need to change. What is it that you need to address? You may be surprised. He may ask you to do something different, or to quit doing something altogether. He may ask you to take one area of your life and get out of practice.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, I come to You this morning realizing that there may be things in my life that I need to change. I may need to stop doing something. I may need to start doing something, and I am willing. I will need Your help. I know I can’t make these kind of changes on my own. Show me today what You want from me. How can I become more like You? What is it that the world has said is okay that I have bought into? Evil controls the world, YOU control me. I am YOURS. I love you, Jesus, and I want to be more like You, and closer TO You. I ask these things in the power of Your name, JESUS, Amen.”

Category: Stand Up
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