Perspective for Feb. 24, 2011

A thorny question?

I love Jesus' parables, one of my favorites is the Parable of the Sower, if you don't know this parable and it's meaning, take a moment to read it now in Mark 4:1-20.

I can easily see myself at various stages of my life in each of the four soils Jesus describes… there was a time when the seed of God's Word had little meaning to me... and there was a time when I got fired up and excited by "my faith" only to later struggle in hard times.  And, if I’m honest, there’ve been times when the cares of this world had my attention...

So, I’m thankful to be in the good soil now!  But Jesus said the mark of living in the good soil isn't right living, right thinking, or even right beliefs...

Jesus said the mark of living in the good soil is the production of a crop way beyond anything you, or I, could produce on our own, so… "where's my crop?" 

Hmmm… that could be a thorny question!

Pastor Jeff

Perspective for Feb. 23, 2011

 “Character” is a word that has been summarized by the definition: “What one thinks and does when no one is around.”

I have hired men and women in the course of my life. It is never an easy task. There are three things that I try hard to understand in the interviewing process:

Competence; the skill level of the person matched up to the task. Competence answers the question, “can they do the job”?

Attitude; their outlook on life; do they get along with people; and do they have fun seeing life as a positive adventure. Attitude often determines how long they will be content doing the job.

Character; is what is drives the person do the job and determines IF they will indeed do it well. Character determines if a person’s actions match their words. Character is not a qualification of just leaders. I have known many people who are better followers than leaders but they have high character. However, if a leader does not have good character he/she quickly disqualify themselves from leading effectively. Character breeds consistency. Character pushes one to do their very best every single time. Character is the single essential ingredient that makes one trustworthy and dependable.

Character is that to which Paul calls us in I Cor. 15:58:

“Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

If we work on our godly character, God will work through our character… to lead others!

This is my perspective for today; what’s yours?

Enjoy your day. I am praying for you!

Brent