Mixed Review

I yi, yi, Gordon is seriously old but he's still got it. Sorta. Sometimes it's best to remember the music as you hear it on vinyl or otherwise. Gave me the itch to have a band and do some of his music. Thanks to Elva Miller, Gary and Anna Miller and Anna and Frank Herbes for joining me and enjoying a night of great old music at the Morris in South Bend.

Gordon Lightfoot anyone??

Gordon Lightfoot is coming to the Morris. Just so happens that Brenda and I have a bit of a gap in our musical preferences. She says I can go, but probably without her. So, is anyone out there interested in going to the concert this coming Thursday? If so, let me know.

He Is Here

This morning we continued the sermon series in the book of Daniel with Chapter 6 and the account of Daniel continuing to pray at the window of his residence. This despite the sure trip into the lions den. But instead of retreating to an out of the way location like say his closet, he continued as was his tradition, to pray at his window.

Just as Daniel likely felt the breath of the lion's after he was tossed their way, we too may feel the breath of the economic beast that threatens to devour us. BUT our hope is in Almighty God, who provides in our weakness and protects when we're threatened. We segued from the sermon to worship via the following video...may you be encouraged that despite your circumstances, HE IS HERE for you, just as He was for Daniel.

Responsibility

The following is a short excerpt from Mark Walz' new book "Lasting Impressions". I can't say I'm at the 'responsibility to" ideal yet but I'm committed to getting there. See more here becausepeoplematter.com

The Burden of “Responsibility For”

I’ve always cared about the journeys of the people I lead. As a youth pastor, I was concerned about “my” students learning, maturing and owning their faith. When I implemented a process by which adults could find and engage in ministry roles best suited to their wiring, I didn’t rest easily until everyone had made those connections. I cared about the job performance and personal lives of my team during the few years I spent in retail management. In early 2000, when I joined Granger Community Church’s staff as pastor of connections, I carried this same sense of personal responsibility for our people to connect in meaningful relationships, take courageous steps toward Christ and develop into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

I still care. I still pray. I still feel responsible. But not as I once did. And I’m really happy about that.

It’s not that I care less. I just don’t feel responsible for our people. I do, however, feel responsible to our people.

There’s a big difference.

When I felt responsible for every person, my failure or success depended on their steps in their journeys. When I felt responsible for our students, I considered their missteps to be my fault. I felt profound guilt when people didn’t line up with what I thought they should know and do.

The Freedom of “Responsibility To”

Being responsible to our people is quite different. And incredibly freeing.

• When I’m responsible to people, I understand they have choices. When I’m responsible for people, I think I should decide for them.
• When I’m responsible to people, I know they must figure out their next steps. When I’m responsible for people, I try to tell them what their next steps are.
• When I’m responsible to people, I know they must bear the consequences of their own chosen actions. When I’m responsible for people, I assume the guilt – or worse, the shame – for them.
• When I’m responsible to people, I share their journeys, offering encouragement and teaching. When I’m responsible for people, I try to direct their journeys, never allowing them to wrestle, mess up, or make a wrong turn.
• When I’m responsible to people, I talk to God a lot on their behalf. When I’m responsible for people, I talk to people a lot on God’s behalf.

God is still God. He transforms the hearts and lives of men and women. We do have a God-given charge to lead our people well. But it is not a charge to control, coerce or manipulate people out of a misunderstood sense of responsibility. Rather, I do believe there is a mindset, a way of thinking, that helps us lead responsibly.