Leadership Thought: Reflections on Being Pushed in a Walmart Shopping Cart-Advice for Those Growing Old.

Dear Friends,

Several years ago, when I was teaching and coaching in Fort Lauderdale, I had my first taste of growing old. I was shopping in a Walmart store with Jean, and my feet were aching. Out of the corner of my eye as we walked through the entrance, I spotted one of those electric carts provided for the physically challenged. I thought to myself, I wonder what it's like to go shopping in one of those wonderful little contraptions, so in I hopped. Jean, being the gracious woman that she is and feeling sorry for her husband's aching feet, joyfully pushed me up and down those Walmart aisles. What fun and how liberating to shop for groceries while speeding up and down those shopping aisles. We both laughed as I asked her, “What are we going to say if we should run into someone on staff from our church?” And wouldn't you know it, just a few moments later we found ourselves face to face with Lynn Wells, one of our school’s preschool teachers. Well, we all had a great laugh after we explained our little caper, and then I was once again on my way doing wheelies up and down the frozen food section.”

Now I must admit that it was fun being pushed through the supermarket aisles, and Jean and I had some wonderful laughs as we engaged in our little escapade, but it got me to thinking about growing old.

There is a story that Chuck Swindoll tells in one of my favorite devotional books, The Finishing Touch. The message was titled “Don’t Task It Easy.” A doctor was examining a lady in her 80’s. She was still in good physical condition, which prompted the doctor to ask her if she stayed active. With a wink, she bragged, “I jog about four to five miles a day........ every day.” Surprised, he told her she didn't need to overdo it. “Take it easy,” he suggested. She took his words to heart and decided to slow down. She reduced her jog to a much slower walk and cut back her exercise to three or four days a week. I'll never forget the doctor's sad sigh, Swindoll wrote, as he finished the story with the words of the doctor. “She died a month ago. Never again will I tell a patient doing as well as she was doing to take it easy.”

The story got me to thinking about a person I knew and loved in a congregation I served in Red Bank, New Jersey. She was 103 years young, having only the year before given up a women’s Bible study which she had been leading for many years. Imagine, still being fully engaged in ministry at 102. May her tribe increase.

Well, I hope as old age creeps up on us all, we can maintain that same passion for service that characterized her life. If I ever get pushed around again in one of those little shopping carts, I want it to be because I chose to be pushed and not because I had to be pushed.

I want to go home with my boots on like my friend Ruth.

I want to be like Caleb, who was strong and vigorous at 85. He says, “I'm as strong this day as I was on the day that Moses sent me” (Joshua 14: 11).  I bet Caleb wasn't looking to be pushed in one of those Walmart shopping carts. I suspect he probably just got off the treadmill when he cried out, “Give me this mountain” (Joshua 14: 12). No, Caleb wasn't staring at retirement with a smile on his face. He hadn't lost the twinkle in his eye or the zest for some new challenge. He knew he had plenty left within to continue to serve, and so off he goes to take the mountain.

Take it easy, I hope not. I want to be a Caleb, still eagerly looking for some new challenge at 85, and I hope that is your spirit as well. Well, I must close. The treadmill is waiting, and I'm not about to “Take it easy.”

Yours in ministry,

Tom

P.S. Swindoll closes his devotional thought with this advice: “Few things will get you in a rut quicker than sitting around watching hummingbirds suck red juice out of a jar.”

Leadership Thought: So, You Don’t Believe in the Devil.

                    "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Dear Friends,

One of the devices of Satan is to allow people to create pictures of himself that cause us to deny his reality. He enjoys it when people caricature him as some being dressed up in a red jumpsuit, with horns growing out of his head, and carrying a pitchfork. He knows when people view him this way, they will laugh at him, and as a result they will fail to take him seriously. That is part of the strategy he employs. Make himself appear to be unreal, imaginary, and no one will take him seriously, and once this happens, he’s got you.

The apostle Paul knew differently, however, for he believed in the reality of the devil, and he knew that he was crafty, cunning, and deceitful. He knew that the devil was his adversary and when he dealt with him, he was not dealing with some imaginary or fanciful creature. No, he knew that he wrestled against the powers of this Dark World and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, and he knew that Satan was the commander-in-chief of these forces. He knew that the Christians world was not a playground but a battleground, and that he had better be constantly on guard lest he be ambushed when he least expected it

A well-known evangelist was one day confronted by a man who said he didn't believe in the devil. When the evangelist asked him why he didn’t believe in the devil, the man said, “Because I've never met him.”  The evangelist said to the man, “The reason you have never met him is because you are traveling in the same direction. Turn around, do an about face, and change directions, and you will not only meet him, but you will discover he has the power to destroy you.”

Jesus met him, and he called him a liar, a murderer, and a thief. He said he was already judged and that one day he would be cast into a fiery pit. But for now, he roams our world, unleashed, ever ready to wreck his havoc on unsuspecting believers. As Corrie Ten Boom, remarked, “The devil wastes no ammunition on those who are dead in trespasses and sins; he aims at Christians.”

Satan prowls like a roaring lion seeking those whom he can devour. He is our adversary, our enemy, the one who wages war against us and all who would seek to live for Christ.

As someone said, “Satan is never partying late Saturday night frequenting the bar scene. He goes to bed early on Saturday night, so he can be well rested to go to church with the Christians.”

Satan is subtle, scheming, strong, and yes, spiritual, and he loves to travel with the Christian.  But while he would seek to rob us of our joy and our victory, we need to remember that he was defeated at the cross. The battle against Satan has already been won by Jesus, and every believer possesses His same power to triumph over him. So, when Satan comes knocking at your door, don't go yourself. Just send Jesus, and Satan will go a running.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thoughts: Some Thoughts on Leadership That Might Change the Way You Lead.

Dear Friends,

One of my favorite writers is Jon Gordon, a person of faith and a popular speaker and author of a number of books, including One Word That Will Change Your Life that many in our church have read. Jon recently wrote the bestselling book Stay Positive, which I have not yet read, but I plan to after viewing a number of his thought-provoking leadership quotes which I share with you this morning.

“Great teachers don't succeed because they are great. They succeed because they bring out the greatness of others.”

“Through adversity we have a choice. We can run away from each other, or we can run toward each other. Remember, connection breeds commitment.”

“No one is perfect. Your past mistakes and failures don't have to define your future. They can refine you and help you become all that you were created to be. There is a plan for you. You have a purpose. Don't give up. Have faith and continue to get better.”

“There's nothing more powerful than a humble person with a warrior spirit who is driven by a bigger purpose.”

“One person in pursuit of excellence raises the standards of everyone around them. And as they strive for greatness, they bring out the greatness in others. Be that one person today.”

“Don't chase success. Decide to get better every day, do great work, and success will find you.”

“True leaders don't lead to gain power. They lead to empower and give power away.”

And my favorite quote of all: “Abundance will flow into our life when gratitude flows out of our heart.”

I hope you find one or two of these quotes to be challenging enough to post on your mirror or better yet, find a home in your heart.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Source of quotes: taken from Clint Hurdle’s internet “Daily Encouragement”, October 12, 2021

Leadership Thought: Words from My Grandson, Huckleberry, That I Will Never Forget.

Dear Friends

In a former denomination in which I pastored, I would close the worship service with what is called a benediction. A benediction is a blessing which is active and meant to work in the hearts of the people to whom it is spoken. "To speak well of, to bless," are two of the meanings Webster provides in his dictionary.

But benedictions should never be limited to only those sitting in the pews. I believe God calls us to be daily dispensers of benedictions. He wants us to be on the lookout to dispense benedictions, both written and spoken, to everyone around us.

Yesterday I received a surprise benediction from my grandson who attends St Lawrence University. He is on my group lists for daily devotionals, but his mom tells me he seldom ever checks his e-mails, so I never expected to receive an e-mail from him. Much to my surprise, however, an e-mail from him popped up on my screen containing a special benediction in which he thanked me for a recent Leadership Thought I wrote on hugging. "I am a hugger and I loved to be hugged, and I never miss an opportunity to hug others. Thanks Poppy for your message. Love Huck." Wow, I was so excited to read those words from my grandson that I ran into the bedroom to share the news with Jean. "Jean, guess who e-mailed me today," and then I told her the news.

I wrote back and said, "Huck", short for Huckleberry (how he got his name is a story for another day) "I wanted you to know how touched I was by your recent e-mail. And I thought to myself, you are part of the reason I get up early each morning and try to think of something encouraging to share with others. When I receive letters like Huck's, I am encouraged to keep writing. Just one short e-mail of thanks made my day. I told someone else who recently wrote me, "if you keep reading, I'll keep writing," and I meant it.

Just last night our "Life Group" took Jean and me out to a wonderful Thai restaurant, and during the meal one of the members of our group stood up and spoke a benediction to both Jean and me. It was brief, but those words will never be forgotten.  It was a simple 'benediction' expressing thanks and appreciation for our ministry.

Sometimes early in the morning when I can't think of anything to say, I am tempted to take a writing vacation, and then I think of Huck and others who are a part of my group list who have been such an encouragement, like my college roommate, "Butch,” who dropped me a note of encouragement this week.

As i write this message, I think of the apostle Paul's words to his friends in the Corinth church. "I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way-in knowledge-because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you" (1 Corinthians 1:4-6). Paul was writing to them to thank them that the things he had taught them that were being lived out in their lives, and their actions clearly confirmed the truth and power of the gospel.

Last night I was touched by the brief words of one of my "Life Group" friends and remembering them this morning I thought of the words of Mother Teresa who said, "Kind words are short and easy to speak but their echoes are endless." 

Over the years, I have been so blessed by the spoken and written benedictions I have received from others, that I am continually on the lookout to pass similar benedictions on to others. Is there someone in your life who would be encouraged by a 'benediction'. If so, why not pick up the pen or the phone and become a "benedictor" (my word) and let them know they are loved and appreciated. Doing so will not only bless them but it will bless you a hundred-fold.

Blessed to be a blessing.

Tom

Leadership Thought: What Do You Want Written on Your Tombstone? 

Dear Friends,

I don't know who said it, but it is so true, "The only thing that walks back from the grave with the mourners and refuses to be buried is the character of a man." What a person is always survives him. It can never be buried.  I don't know if that quote hits you the way it hit me, but it really captured my attention when I read it. To me it is a powerful reminder of the importance of living a life that is remembered for who you were and not what you did.

In one of my favorite books, Finishing Strong, James Farrar writes what he desires as an epitaph on his tombstone were the words, "He didn't screw up." I too would like to be so remembered. I hope all of us desire to live our lives in such a way that when those mourners walk back from our grave site, our character walks back with them and it is not left buried in some graveyard.

These thoughts brought to mind a prayer that the apostle Paul uttered on behalf of the Philippian church. Paul writes, "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge, and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence until the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1: 9-11. 

Paul is simply praying for the development of character in the lives of those believers. He prays that their character might be sincere and without offence. Some have translated the word 'sincere' to mean tested by the sunlight. Thus, the mature believer should not be embarrassed to expose his character to the light. There are no hidden aspects of his life. It is open for examination.

A man once told Charles Spurgeon, the great British preacher, that he wanted to write his biography. Spurgeon replied, "You may write my life in the clouds! I have nothing to hide" (Commentary on Philippians, Warren Wiersbe, p. 26).  

I close with a comment made by Phillip Brooks that I hope will be something each of us will carry with us throughout our lifetime, "Character may be manifested in the great moments; But it is made in the small ones."

Amen. 

Yours in ministry, 

Tom 

Leadership Thought: If You Are Not a Hugger, You May Be Missing the Rescuing Power of the Hug.

Dear Friends,

Someone said there are two kinds of people. Those who like hugs and those who don't. Make no mistake about it, I am in the former group. I can't imagine my life without hugging and being hugged. love hugs and I love giving them, so if you are a member of the non-hugging group, please avoid me at all costs.

I wasn't always a hugger. It happened over 30 years ago when a member of the church I was serving provided our staff with a powerful lesson on the value of the hug. Barbara Brillhart was a registered nurse before coming to our staff, and at one of our staff meetings she gave us a powerful lesson on the value of hugging. I will never forget Barb or the lesson she taught us that day. I can still picture her leading us in the practice of the different forms of the hug and then practicing those hugs on one another. The one I will always remember, and the hug I practice the most, especially among women, is the "A Frame" which as you might imagine is one of the safest and most appropriate expressions of hugging you can offer.

What put the subject of hugging on my mind this morning was a quote from Dane Ortland's book Gentle and Lowly that was recently passed on to me by one of the members of our staff. I was intrigued by Ortland's words describing Jesus' practice of love in action. Ortland writes, "What did Jesus do whenever he saw the unclean? What was his first impulse when he came across prostitutes and lepers? He moved toward them. Pity flooded his heart, the longing of true compassion. He spent time with them. He touched them. We all can testify to the humanness of touch. A warm hug does something warm words of greeting alone cannot" (Gentle and Lowly, p 31).  It is so true that a tender hug, given at just the right time and in the right circumstances, and in the right spirit can often communicate a message more significant than words could ever express.

A number of years ago I read a story about a set of twins who were only a few days old. One of them had been born with a serious heart condition and wasn't expected to live. A few days went by, and one baby's health continued to deteriorate, and she was close to death. A hospital nurse asked if she could go against hospital policy and put the babies in the same incubator together, rather than individual incubators. It was a big ordeal, but finally the doctor consented to allow the twins to be placed side by side in the same incubator, just as they had been in their mother's womb.

Somehow, the healthy baby managed to reach over and put his arm around his little sick sister. Before long, and for no apparent reason, her heart began to stabilize and heal. Her blood pressure came up to normal. Her temperature soon followed suit. Little by little she got better, and today they are both perfectly healthy children. A newspaper caught wind of the story and photographed the twins while still in the incubator, embraced in a hug. They ran the photo with the caption, "The Rescuing Hug” Your Best Life Now, Joel Osteen, p. 224.

Today we know the power of the hug. We have learned that hugging another person has positive physiological benefits for the body. The secretion of oxytocin a hormone is one of them. Oxytocin is known as the attachment or bonding hormone, and it's not just for children-it improves the quality of life in people regardless of what their age is.

Is there someone you know who needs a "rescuing hug?" I may be like a lifeline thrown to the one who is going down for the last time in a sea of discouragement. Maybe that hug will provide the touch that transforms a heart of sadness into a heart of hope. Yes, you can hug from a distance: a kind note, a caring phone, an e-mail can be wonderful expressions of love, but will always be a lesser substitute for the healing power of one's hug.

Barb Brillhart has gone to be with the Lord, but I thank God for this wonderful woman and the lesson she taught me on the healing power of the hug.

Yours in faith and friendship, 

Tom

P.S. "Don't forget that a hug is like a boomerang-you get it back right away" 

Leadership Thought: Guess What? The Most Important Person in the World Knows Your Name.

Dear Friends,

Names are important, and as I grow older, names have become increasingly more difficult for me to remember. There have been times when I am up front following the service, and I am praying for someone, and I suddenly draw a blank as I have forgotten the name of the person for whom I am praying. 

One of my most embarrassing experiences took place early in my ministry when I had taken my wife to visit a parishioner. I was taking a memory course designed to help increase my ability to remember names, something that I thought would be helpful for a young pastor to do.  One of the keys to remembering names was word association, associating a person's name with another thing or object. 

As Jean and I stood at the front door of the home we were visiting, the door opened and I exclaimed, "Mrs. White, I just dropped by because I wanted you to meet my wife. Jean." The problem was that Mrs. White was not Mrs. White, but Mrs. Snow. So much for my memory association. Fortunately, Mrs. Snow had a wonderful sense of humor, and we all had a good laugh about my gaffe. 

Famed author and motivational speaker Dale Carnegie said, "A person's name is, to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language."  God understood that principle a few thousand years earlier when he inspired John to write in John 10:3, "He (Jesus) calls his own sheep, (that's you and me), by name." The Old Testament prophet Isaiah, (43:2):  writes, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." 

We all know the feeling we get when someone knows us and calls us by our name. We feel, "He/She  remembers me." "I must be important." 

And so when you are discouraged and feeling down, thinking no one knows or cares about you or even knows your name, think of Jesus standing before you and looking into your eyes as He says, ____________I love you. You are so special to me that I died to redeem you and make you my own.

That is God's promise. "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine" (Isaiah 43:1).

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: Evangelism Takes Time: Are You Prepared To Do It.

Dear Friends,

I was fortunate to spend 5 years on the staff at Calvary Chapel, Old Bridge where my friend Lloyd Pulley is the senior pastor. During that time, I was blessed to read his wonderful book, Patient Evangelism. It was born out of his time witnessing to people in New York city following the bombing of the World Trade Center. 

Since I am preparing to lead a six-week course on personal evangelism, I decided to revisit this wonderful book and review some of the notes I had taken while reading it. It was a helpful reminder to me that evangelism is not always a onetime event, but it can be a process that takes place over a lengthy period of time. I may be one part of the evangelism process, but I may not be the one who sees the end result of that process. A conversion is a culmination of a journey, and journey's take time. Seeds that are planted don't sprout up overnight. You can't rush the process. Each seed has a certain timetable before its flower is produced. Think about your own life. How many people did God send into your life before you received Jesus?

Over the years I have had many opportunities to share my favorite witnessing tool, the 4 Spiritual Laws, with unbelievers. I have seen people immediately respond and come to Christ through this wonderful witnessing resource. But most of the people I know who have come to Jesus, have come over a period of time. One of my dearest friends came to faith in my office some 20 years ago, but it took many meetings over a six-month period before he responded to the claims of Jesus on his life. There were many conversations in my office and much time spent as we sat in the stands with one another while watching our sons compete at various wrestling tournaments. 

Often in our efforts to see someone saved, we feel we must give them the whole gospel, and when they don't immediately pray the sinner's prayer, we feel like we have failed. However, if we assume responsibility for the success of our evangelistic efforts, we assume something that is not ours's to assume. 

As believers we are called to be witnesses. Those were our Savior's marching orders. We are reminded in 1 Peter 3:15 that we are to always be prepared to give an account to everyone who asks us for the hope that we have within us, but we are never responsible for the person's decision. 

Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru) has a wonderful definition for evangelism: "Evangelism is sharing Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results up to God." We are not the ones responsible for the person's salvation. We may deliver the message, but it is God who opens the door to a person's heart. When we understand this, we will never feel a sense of failure, regardless of a person's response to our message.

If you are in our area, I would encourage you to join us this Sunday, October 24th at 9:15 for a six-week study at the New Monmouth Baptist Church (corner of New Monmouth Road and Cherry Tree Farm Road) as together we learn how to more effectively share "the hope within us."

Yours in faith,

Tom

Leadership Thought: Whatever Is Over Your Head Is Under His Feet.

Dear Friends,

Last night at our small group we were studying a passage in the book of Ephesians, and I was struck by the phrase where Paul writes God has put "everything under His feet" (Eph. 1:22).  Everything in all His creation is under His feet. Everything bows before His sovereignty. He has the power to control everything and that same power that resurrected Jesus from the grave, is the same power that resides within every believer. 

We say I don't know if I can conquer my smoking habit or control my bad temper or give up my lustful thoughts or break off this relationship that is pulling me away from You. And God says the same power I possess to raise Jesus from the dead is the same power that is within you. 

Paul doesn't encourage them to pray for the power to break that which holds them in bondage. He simply calls them to use that power they already possess. 

Paul writes, "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ which he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is the body, the fullness of him who fills all in all" (Eph. 1:19-23).

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power you possess. "But I am addicted," but God gives you the resurrection power to be free. "I have been hurt and I am broken" and God says, "You are as whole as you need to be."  "But I need help. I feel powerless to change my life." But you have all the power you need, for the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that resides within you.

 "All things are under His feet."  Addiction, problems, pornography, profanity, gossip, depression, meanness, temper, sadness, laziness- whatever it is that you feel is controlling you is "under His feet."

Pastor John Courson writes, "But you don't understand how overwhelming my problem is, and Jesus says it couldn't be any more overwhelming than the waves threatening to drown my disciples. And yet even the waves that rolled over their heads are under my feet, and those waves that threatened to drown you were very waves I walked on in coming to you" (Matthew 14: 25).

"Nothing is over his head. Whatever might seem to be rolling your way, ready to sink your boat and wipe you out is already under his feet- and might be the very path He chooses upon which to walk to you (John Courson, Application Bible Commentary, p. 1223.

In closing, out his commentary on these verses, Warren Wiersbe comments, "The greatest power shortage today is not in our generators or our gas tanks. It is in our personal lives. Will Paul's prayer be answered in your life? Will you, starting today, begin to know by experience God’s calling- God's riches- and God’s power? The Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren Wiersbe p 17.

Have a good day and remember as the late Bob Cook used to say, it will only be a good day if it is a godly day."

Yours in faith in friendship.

Tom

Leadership Thought:  A Lesson on Peacemaking for Christians in a Contentious Culture.

Dear Friends,

Someone once described peace as that glorious moment in history when everyone stops to reload. This seems to be an apt description of our politically charged culture. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t hear, see, or personally experience some major form of contention between people. Sadly, this bitter and contentious culture is destroying relationships and fracturing churches.

As Christian we are called to be peacemakers. Sowing seeds of peace is an active responsibility.  It means obeying the Word of God. Christians are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14).

It doesn’t matter how many verses we can quote, or how many sermons we have heard, if we do not live out the truth of God’s word in our everyday actions.

We cannot harm or speak ill of others if we are truly seeking to be peacemakers. We cannot expect good things to result from harmful actions

Scripture tells us, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey." (Luke 11:28) We are not called just to maintain peace, but we are called to promote peace.

One of the greatest lessons our Lord has taught us is not only to love our friends and family but to also love our enemies (Luke 6:27-28). Yes, I know this is easier said than done. It is not easy to love those who fight against us, who hate us and would seek to harm us.

But Jesus teaches us not repay evil for evil, and not to retaliate against those with whom we disagree. Prior to His crucifixion He was mocked, spat on, insulted, and humiliated beyond imagination. And what was His response. He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing” (Luke 23-24).

It is difficult to love difficult people, but this is just what Jesus said we need to do. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Luke 11:28).

Being a peacemaker promises a wonderful blessing for Jesus says, “peacemakers shall be called sons or God. “

But Jesus’ promise on peacemaking is spoken to those who are called his “sons” and daughters, his spiritual children. It is those who have trusted in Jesus and who have received Him as Lord and Savior of their lives who   have the resources of the Holy Spirit within who possess the ability to love their enemies.

This morning I came across a wonderful acrostic that will assist us in our peace-making mission. The acrostic CALM provides a simple guideline to peace making

C-Control over oneself

A-Act on God’s Word

L-Love difficult people

M-Mediate the conflict

Let us become peacemakers today.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. “Anyone can love peace. Jesus didn’t say blessed are the peace lovers. He says blessed are the peacemakers. He is referring to a life vocation, not a hobby on the sidelines of life.” Jim Wallis

Leadership Thought: Get in a Small Group; It Might Well Save Your Life.

"All of you should be like minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing.” First Peter 2:8-9 (NIV)

Dear Friends, 

This week's Leadership Thoughts have been dealing with the subject of encouragement, and today's thought focuses on the importance of mutual encouragement. As believers we are called to encourage one another.  Ministry is mutual. When I have a heavy heart, I am grateful for a brother or sister who comes along and helps transform my heavy heart into a happy heart. As a pastor, I have found that it is much harder for me to receive ministry that give it. I prefer to be on the giving end than the receiving end, for after all isn't that what a minister is called to do. But thankfully, as I grow older, I find myself getting better at receiving ministry. I recognize that I am becoming more vulnerable and more open to help which is a good thing. And in so doing, I have discovered that gratefully receiving ministry from another person is a gift to them for it provides a wonderful way of blessing and affirming that person.

In this world we truly do need each other. That is why for years each Wednesday morning I gather with a couple of brothers for breakfast. It is a time of mutual ministry, of give and take. There is laughter and learning, and sometimes even a few tears, and we all come away from breakfast better because we have been together.

It is a wonderful thing when two people recognize and commit to a plan of mutual encouragement. Their goal is to encourage one another and to make each other better. I have often seen it happen on the athletic fields, and especially in the weight room. Lifters work in pairs, aiding and supporting one another as each lifts the bar and struggles to realize a certain weight or number of repetitions. As one lifts, the other is shouting out words of encouragement: “You can do it,” “a little bit more,” “just one more.” Each individual wants the best for the other and encouragement is one way to foster and maximize the results. Relationships that have that kind of commitment to help one another and to spur one another on will result in tremendous growth in both peoples' lives. Out of those kinds of relationships, a bond is developed that often results in the kind of friendship that lasts for a lifetime.

CS Lewis, the author of the Chronicles of Narnia series and JR Tolkien who wrote The Hobbit series were both professors at Oxford University. They maintained a close friendship throughout their careers. Every Thursday, they, along with other writers, would meet to have a drink and talk about their fiction writing endeavors, and read passages of their yet unpublished works. It was Tolkien who challenged and encouraged Lewis, an avowed atheist, to explore Christianity, leading to his ultimate conversion. And it was Lewis who encouraged Tolkien to continue writing fiction and to seek publication. Were it not for their friendship and mutual encouragement, the world would not have received the finest writing and apologetics of the 20th century nor perhaps the finest fantasy work ever written. Both encouraged each other and the result was that the Christian world was blessed (Story saved in my files but source not identified).

So, if you don't presently enjoy the benefits of being together with other brothers or sisters in mutual ministry, I encourage you to do so. In our church we have Life Groups, which meet together weekly for food, fellowship, bible study and prayer, and our desire is to see everyone in our church family participate. 

Yours in faith and friendship

Tom

Colossians 3:23-24

P.S. If you don't think isolation from other brothers and sisters is dangerous, just read below

·        Social isolation was associated with about a 50% percent increased risk of dementia. 1

·        Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) were associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. 1

·        Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

·        Loneliness among heart failure patients was associated with a nearly 4 times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization, and 57% increased risk of emergency department visits. 1

Reference: www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html

Leadership Thought: The Day I Discovered I Had a Tootsie Pop Ministry.

Dear Friends,

I love receiving personal letters and cards, and over the years I have saved many of them. A lot of them are stashed in the front of my bible, my own little personal repository of treasured expressions of other’s love and appreciation.

I suspect it was my fondness for receiving such cherished gifts that led me in developing my own letter writing ministry. If I was blessed by such personal expressions of love, why not share that love with others, and so began my Calvary Chapel Academy Tootsie Pop ministry.

I was the first athletic director and chaplain for Calvary Christian Academy, a new school started by Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. As I commenced my new ministry, I decided I would write a personal handwritten note to each student on his or her birthday. The school began with only 200 students in grades K-4, and so this seemed like a manageable undertaking. Prior to writing my birthday letter, and unbeknownst to the student, I would contact the student’s teacher requesting information on the child. I was looking for something positive about the child that I could affirm in my personal note. It might be a successful athletic accomplishment, a significant behavior improvement, some kind and loving act, or perhaps from academic achievement.

On the student’s special day, I would walk into the classroom, and all teaching would suddenly stop. I would walk over to the student, put my arm around him/her and publicly affirm them for the special achievement which I had also noted in my letter.

They were always amazed by my ability to pinpoint their specific act or accomplishment, never knowing that the information received had previously come from their teacher. Watching their surprise as I affirmed them for their accomplishment was something I will never forget.

I can’t tell you the amazing responses I received from both parents and students alike over the years. I continued the tradition as the school grew through high school, and only when the student enrollment reached 1,000, was I forced by time restraints to give up this ministry. In over 50 years of ministry, I doubt I have ever done anything that has had a greater impact than this ministry. Even after I left the school, I would frequently have students and parents express how much they appreciated my notes and my Tootsie Pop encouragement ministry. Many would tell me they still retained those notes.

Why do I share this story? It is simply to point out that if we ask God to reveal how we can encourage others, He will show us countless ways.  And those ways may be unusual and creative and yes, even unforgettable, just like a ‘magical’ note and a Tootsie Pop in the hands of a young student.

Paul writes in 1 Thess. 5:11 that we are “to encourage one another and build each other up,” so let’s get busy doing just that. And as you do, why not share with me any unusual ways you have found in encouraging others.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: The Day Some Valentines Changed the Course of My Ministry.

Dear Friends

This Sunday our pastors were surprised when we were called us up front during the service to receive special recognition.  I guess October is Pastor Appreciation Month. I don't know who first suggested this special day. Maybe it was some pastor who was going through a tough time and who himself was badly in need of some encouragement. In any event, I am grateful for the day for who doesn't like to be appreciated? 

The word appreciate means to raise in value, and this is just what encouragement does; it raises the value of the person receiving it. But it also has significant benefits for the person giving it. The writer of Proverbs reminds us that "He who is generous prospers, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Encouragement is oxygen to the soul. We can't live very long without it. Someone remarked, encouragement is biodegradable; it has a short shelf life, for as soon as we receive it, we quickly need another dose. 

Everyone loves an encourager. "Flatter me and I may not believe you. Criticize me and I may not like you. Ignore me and I may never forgive you. But encourage me, and I will never forget you.

I often think back to one day when encouragement changed my life and my ministry. I had been pastoring in Greenville, Pa for four years, and suddenly I found myself looking discouragement square in the eye. I was tired, discouraged, and feeling like I had not accomplished all that I had set out to do. I began asking myself if I was really the one who was best prepared to lead the church, and I seriously began thinking it might be time to look for a new challenge. 

I guess I wasn't very good about hiding my feelings for somehow word got out to the congregation, and sensing my discouragement, they performed one of the greatest acts of encouragement I have ever received. It was shortly before Valentine's Day when my mailbox began filling up. They were love letters from the congregation dressed up as Valentines. Someone had orchestrated a love letter writing campaign, and for the next few weeks my mailbox was brimming full of letters written by different members of the congregation. They were letters of encouragement. They were filled with gratitude and appreciation for me and my ministry. They screamed, "Tom, we love you."  

Those Valentine love letters, overflowing with gratitude and appreciation kept me in Greenville for another three years, a time that proved to be one of the most productive periods of any ministry I have enjoyed. And to this day those 'love letters" continue to remain as some of my most valuable deposits in my bank account of memories.

I wonder how many people quit to soon because no one ever came along to encourage them.

Why not take some time today to write or call someone who might just need a little dose of encouragement? Like those loving Greenville folks, you just might change the course of someone's life, and what could be more exciting ort more rewarding than that?

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom