Author: Merlin Erb

Competencies, Leveraging & the Integrity To Not Screw It Up!

It has been over ten years ago now I first read “Integrity: the courage to meet the demands of reality” by Dr. Henry Cloud which came out in 2006. After reading it, I resolved to make it required reading and conversation if I ever was graced again with employees.

Quoting from his preface, “You have heard all your life that character counts. You have desired integrity in yourself and in the people with whom you work. You have felt its affects, suffered when it is not present, and benefited when it has. You know that it is real.

But, too often, we do not connect the dots with how the integrity of character really works day to day, and how it affects our real results in the areas of life which matter to us most. We do not think that the way to more profits is a shift in our own character makeup, or if we do, we often do not know where to begin. Nor do we know how sometimes how to make personal shifts that will make our relationships more fruitful.

You will see how character traits supercede gifts, talents, and ability, and the ones who don’t, ultimately fail. And, the fun part will be finding that all of us can grow in all of these areas, and that the journey itself is of great value. So, join me in that journey, as we look at how Integrity is the courage to meet the demands of reality.”

Dr. Cloud begins Chapter One by telling how a friend of his out of her concern for her two twenty some year old sons, asked if he would take her two sons out for lunch and talk to them about success. They had been asking numerous questions about how some people become so successful making it ‘big.’ Perhaps he could give them some guidance since they were in the asking mode. Dr. Cloud replied likely not, since that really wasn’t his field. But she kept coming back with the likes of “you’ve worked with a lot of successful people. Just take them out and tell them something. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just give them somethings to think about.”

So, thinking he had been perhaps too dismissive, Dr Cloud relented and finally agreed to lunch, which instantly fired this mother on a mission up, and she would then not quit hounding him until he would tell her what his three points would be to her sons. Though the process weaves through pages, I’ll boil them down to succinctly this. People who become leaders , or really successful tend to have three qualities.

Number One: They have some set of competencies. They know their field, their industry, their discipline, or whatever. You can only fake it so long boys, so your get yourself in the library, the internet, or wherever and master your craft.

Number Two: Besides, skills they have to be what I call an alliance builder. In other words, they have to take their competencies and what they do well and build alliances with others who have competencies and resources and form relationships that are mutually beneficial. As a result, they leverage what they do well to much greater heights than just being ‘good’ at their job. They forge relationships and partnerships with people like investors , regulators, distribution centers, their boards, city governments, Wall Street, or whoever it is that has the capacity to make whatever they are doing bigger.

  Number Three: “Then I would tell them that they need to understand that the people who possess the first two abilities are a dime a dozen. There is no shortage of talented, brainy people who are very, very good at what they do and are equally able to work the system and schmooze other people to get things done. But if your boys are truly going to make it, they need the third ingredient as well: They have to have the character to not screw it up. That is what I think I will them if you have to know right now.”

Personally now, looking back soon to be fifty years since college graduation, I may be tempted to think my vision of those early years is now twenty-twenty. I particularly know exactly when I didn’t default by accident, or simply made a mistake, because I deliberately chose on numerous occasions as I have heard it said already, “with my eyes wide-open,” knowing exactly when I didn’t possess the needed ‘character’ for the situation at hand, and consequently, I most certainly did totally screw it up. See now why this book is so personal to me?

About five years ago I was compelled to give a copy of this book, Integrity, to a businessman I had never met, but I knew firsthand he had some very difficult decisions to make, similar to those facing the Dell CEO Michael S Dell and President Kevin B Rollins after the global crash in PC sales after 2001. Business Week magazine in its November 3, 2003 reported the following:

“When Dell and Rollins met privately in the fall of 2001, they were confident that the company was recovering from the global crash in PC sales. Their own personal performance, however, was another matter. Internal reviews revealed that subordinates thought Dell, 38, was impersonal and emotionally detached, while Rollins, 50, was seen as autocratic and antagonistic. Few felt strong loyalty to the company’s leaders. Worse, the discontent was spreading: a survey taken over the summer, following the company’s first-ever mass layoffs, found half of Dell Inc.’s employees would leave if they had the chance.

What happened next says much about why Dell is the best-managed company in technology at the moment. At other industry giants, the CEO and his chief sidekick might have shrugged off the criticism or let the issue slide. Not at Dell. Fearing an exodus of talent, the two execs focused on the gripes. Within two weeks, Dell faced his top 20 managers and offered a frank self-critique, acknowledging that he is hugely shy and that it sometimes makes him seem aloof and unapproachable. He vowed to forge tighter bonds with his team. Some in the room were shocked. They knew personality tests given to key execs had repeatedly shown Dell to be an “off-the-charts introvert,” and such an admission from him had to have been painful. “It was powerful stuff,” says Brian Wook, the head of the public sector sales for the Americas. “You could tell it wasn’t easy for him.”

Michael Dell didn’t stop there. Days later, they began showing a video tape of his talk to every manager in the company – several thousand people. Then Dell and Rollins adopted desk props to do what didn’t come naturally. A plastic bulldozer cautioned Dell not to ram through ideas without including others, and a Curious George encouraged Rollins to listen to his team before making up his mind.”

Listen to some of the actual words there: Impersonal, emotionally detached, autocratic, antagonistic, loyalty, focused on the gripes, shy, aloof, unapproachable, tighter bonds, including others, listen to his team. These are not usually the things you hear in in business and success training, but they are things of reality. No matter how huge the success that Dell’s talents, brains, competencies, and alliances brought about, there was still this thing that was the overflow from a person’s makeup, his integrity, and his courage to meet the current demands of his reality.

As was told in Point Number Three to the boys, ultimately we all have to pay attention to it, because attention will be given to it. Attention from half a workforce willing to leave a company if they had the opportunity merits a lot of attention! It is better if we do it proactively as Michael Dell did. Don’t we wish all CEO’s would heed that kind of feedback and take those kinds of bold steps, or how about politicians, pastors, spouses, or parents? It would solve a lot of problems.

Dr Cloud goes on to say “The reality to see here is that this stuff matters. Connecting with others in a way that makes them feel understood and valued is key to life and the basis of building trust and loyalty. From that base, everything else works. To do that requires the kind of character that is oriented towards others and makes proactive connections with them in a way that builds bonds.

I suggest you read again and ponder Dr Cloud’s three points for the mother on a mission for her two sons. In fact, when I read this book and these three points (gaining competencies, leveraging & being an alliance builder, & then, the integrity not to screw it up) I am visualizing how I can utilize them in “Living & Building the Kingdom of God,” my churches motto or mission statement. Sadly, I’m not so sure today that many church members ever think of applying these three points to their faith when it is exactly what is required of his followers. Read the Gospels and Pauline passages, especially I & II Peter for similar marching orders!

 Perhaps you ask “To do what?” Begin by considering your own kids or perhaps your grand’s. Or the  college grad that just moved back in with his folks next door. Perhaps that grad is you, or perhaps you’re the parents with the grad upstairs again. Realize  opportunities to meet the current demands of your realities are always awaiting you, whether within or outside your family.

May I suggest, for a change of perspective, just once, you forget all about yourself and look around you. Who can you take an interest in, offer wisdom , but most of all, just offer your willingness to listen, really listen. Perhaps you first need to start with your spouse, or one of your children, then an uncle, or a niece. Such opportunities abound. Don’t be shy. Get inspired! Read or listen to Andy Andrew’s book “The Noticer” to prime your pump. Likely a good idea if you seek His guidance first or your attempt may not end well. He’s been waiting for you to ask for His help. Apparently, exceptional intellect is not required; inspiration and obedience though, are usually in short supply as is prayer and scripture reading. Forget the foxhole mentality; do both for their pure enjoyment before the bombing starts.

Next blog post we’ll learn how Dell has fared since the Business Week article in 2003 until today. Did Michael Dell’s integrity, his courage to meet the current demands of his reality, actually serve him well?

Don’t forget that for Christ’s Mission Possible, it is all about gaining competencies, leveraging & being an alliance builder, & then, the integrity not to screw it up!

Blessings on your journey home>>>>merlin

By Wesley J. Smith on March 7, 2021 in Conscience originally published at The Epoch Times. Wesley Smith is Chair and Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism. Wesley is a contributor to National Review and is the author of 14 books, in recent years focusing on human dignity, liberty, and equality. Wesley has been recognized as one of America’s premier public intellectuals on bioethics by National Journal and has been honored by the Human Life Foundation as a “Great Defender of Life” for his work against suicide and euthanasia. Wesley’s most recent book is Culture of Death: The Age of “Do Harm” Medicine, a warning about the dangers to patients of the modern bioethics movement.

“That’s insane!” These days, how often do we say those words? The litany could go on and on.

Dr. Seuss is suddenly persona nongrata, six of his books removed from publication because they are “racist” and “hateful.” That’s insane!

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has become a widely reviled personality because she claims that boys are born male and girls, female? That’s insane!

Statues of Abraham Lincoln are being torn down and schools named after the Great Emancipator renamed in the cause of fighting racism. That’s insane!

Woke educators decry mathematics education focused on getting “the right answer” as an expression of white privilege and patriarchy. Suddenly math is about social justice. That’s insane!

No. Actually, it’s not. “Canceling,” as it is called, is a coldly calculated strategy implemented with malice aforethought. The goal isn’t to persuade. Social excommunication, media de-platforming, and the trashing of venerable traditions doesn’t seek to reform institutions or promote societal improvement. Rather, the point is to destroy every traditional religious, social, and political institution judged guilty of constructing Western Civilization, toward the end of rebuilding society in the image of Woke.

Let me put it more simply: The French Revolution is attacking the American Revolution.

The French Revolution? Am I nuts?

I don’t think so. Sure, circumstances are different. Antifa and their allied corporate woksters are not attacking a king living in splendor as the common people starve. And to be sure, no guillotines have been installed in public squares chopping off heads. Well, at least not literally.

But I believe we are in the midst of a social upheaval every bit as radical and potentially destructive as the one that tore France apart in the late 18th century, a revolution that aims at demolishing traditional Americanism as thoroughly as the original version did the French monarchy.

The French Revolution isn’t just an historical event. It can also be thought of as a metaphor that describes a particularly destructive Utopian zealotry. Similarly, the American Revolution can refer to more than the events culminating in the founding of the United States, but also, as the embodiment of a value system of ordered liberty and individual freedom. The values of the two upheavals—both historically and as metaphors—could not be more antithetical.

Realizing that the neo-French and American Revolutions are not all one thing but in the real world can share attributes, we can make the following general observations:

• The French Revolution is Utopian and believes in the perfectibility of society that requires a strong centralized power structure. The American Revolution is, paradoxically, conservative. Its locus of power is the free individual.

• The French Revolution focuses on self-indulgence. The American, on self-restraint.

• The French Revolution is authoritarian. It deploys institutional power to coerce adherence to the revolution’s values. In today’s parlance, that goal is equity, meaning equality of outcomes. The American Revolution stands for equality of opportunity, by creating a system in which people are enabled to go as far as their talent and character allow without regard to the color of their skin, their sex, or any other categorization.

• The French Revolution tolerates only approved speech. It dictates acceptable lexicon. The American Revolution understands that reasonable people may differ. The answer to bad speech isn’t to punish but refute it with better speech.

• The French Revolution detests traditional religion—particularly orthodox Christianity—and seeks to establish a mandatory secularity in the public sphere to which all must give obeisance. (For example, the Equality Act would impose transgendered ideology throughout society, including forcing women’s sports to let biological males compete.) The American Revolution upholds the free exercise of religion—that is, the right to live according to the precepts of one’s faith—as a fundamental human right. (Thus, religious pacifists may legally escape conscription into the military, even in times of war.)

• The French Revolution feels, that is, its arguments are based mostly in hyper emotionalism. Its great potent tools are moral panic and the aroused mob sweeping all before it. No disagreement allowed. The American Revolution thinks. Its most effective strategy is free and open discourse as applied to established moral and legal principles, from which people are allowed to dissent.

• The French Revolution believes in “positive rights” secured by an all-powerful government—even if that means citizens are coerced into their provision. The American Revolution perceives rights as emanating from God or as integral to human nature. Thus, government isn’t established to guarantee happiness but maintain an open and free society for its pursuit.

The Bible says we will be known by our fruits. I think that is also true of philosophical systems.

The historic fruits of the French Revolution have been despotism, death, and destruction—in the Reign of Terror in France, the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, and catastrophic Cultural Revolution of China, all of which were pursued with French Revolutionary values and zealotry.

The fruits of the American Revolution have been rising levels of personal freedom in the West unheard of in human history and the creation of the most prosperous society on earth. It is why downtrodden people from the world risk life and limb to get to the United States. They believe in the American Dream.

It will take time for the passions fueling our American French Revolution to bank. But if we stay resolute and defiant, if we resist succumbing to the Jacobins’ bullying, that day will come. As the old saying goes, the Revolution always eats its own.

But I fear our situation is going to get worse before it gets better. Today, Dr. Seuss was canceled. Tomorrow it could be Mr. Rogers—he was, after all a white, male, Christian pastor, who depicted living in a privileged suburban neighborhood, and spoke to his audience of children in the oppressive binary terms, “boys and girls.” Off with his head!

The following is our final look at Chris Hedge’s book “The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm & Love Well in a Culture of Compromise” beginning Pg. 240.

“Once the spiritual groundwork has been laid, we can work on being Christ’s ambassadors in the world around us. As I promised you earlier, there are no set scripts, shortcuts, or easy answers here. It takes time to lay the spiritual groundwork and to invest in relationships. There’s no magic formula.

However, I do have suggestions. Below are five approaches or attitudes of response you can incorporate as you engage with the people God has given you to influence. Because I am frequently asked how I handle certain situations, I’m including a very basic conversational response, based on my past experience, for you to use mostly as a prompt to get started on each of the five. Again, you don’t need to memorize these or say them verbatim when talking to someone about cultural challenges. Just keep it real, and let God’s Holy Spirit give you wisdom and discernment about how to respond and what to say.

1. Keep your standards high and your grace deep.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Cor. 1: 18–20)

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth to deal with how culture was affecting their church. He encouraged the followers of Jesus there to keep the standards high but in a grace-filled way. He pointed out that those who think they are smarter than God will at some point discover their own limits and end up frustrated. To illustrate this, Paul asked several rhetorical questions: “Where’s the smarty pants who thinks they know so much? Where’s the wise guy or the know-it-all? Where’s the ‘enlightened expert’ of the times? Hasn’t God shown you all how silly your views are compared to his?”

Obviously, this is my paraphrase, but I think you get the point of what Paul was saying. He concluded, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Cor. 1: 25).

Throughout the rest of his letter, which we know as 1 Corinthians, Paul confronted culture and culture’s norms but managed to do so with grace. He clearly took a strong stand against sinful behavior and immoral standards and practices, but the way he did it displays compassion and not condemnation, heartfelt concern and not self-righteous indignation.

Similarly, we need to think less about who we might offend and, with grace and truth, take a stand for God’s Word. I suspect many of us don’t like dealing with this culture clash between the world’s ways and God’s ways. We often want the world to like us more than we want to stand strong for God’s ways. The reality is that the world is going to think God’s ways and standards are foolish. They are going to want us to change (may even soon demand we to do change..mle) what we believe.

So here’s the real question: What are we going to do when we face this dilemma? What’s our response going to be when confronted with a clash between the culture around us and the God we love and want to serve?

We should do as Jesus did and keep the standards high and the grace deep.

Everyone in Jesus’ day knew the Ten Commandments and that adultery was wrong, but then Jesus came along and said, “If you’ve ever even looked at another person and lusted, you’ve committed adultery in your heart” (Matt. 5: 28, my paraphrase). In one sentence, Jesus made an adulterer of almost everyone in the audience! Jesus didn’t lower the standard. He pointed toward a higher standard, and then he refused to condemn those who fell short of it.

In other words, he didn’t cave to the cultural pressure so that he could be liked and accepted. Jesus didn’t say what people wanted to hear or what would make them feel good. He pointed to a higher standard and then provided a way out for those who would repent. See the difference? The standard got higher, but the grace got deeper.

This is how we should engage the culture and its standards. Let’s stick to God’s way and God’s Word. If the Bible calls it sin, then it’s sin—period. Let’s not give into the pressure to change because the world thinks it’s foolish. God’s ways will always be foolish to the world. Instead, let’s point to a higher standard but extend the deep, abundant grace that we all need.

When faced with a discussion about any moral issue, I often say something like this:

We all fall short of God’s standards—you, me, everybody. But let’s not change his truth to fit what we want. Let’s ask God to change us to fit what he wants. That’s why he’s God and we’re his creation. He knows what’s best for us and loves us enough to tell us those boundaries. Moral standards aren’t man made; they’re God-given.

2. Accept people without approving of their behavior.

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Dan. 1: 8).

Jesus confronted the culture around him all the time. Remember the scene found in John 8, where a woman was caught in adultery by the religious leaders and Pharisees? They brought her before Jesus, who had been teaching in the temple courts, in hopes of tripping him up. They reminded Jesus that the law under Moses required that anyone caught in adultery be stoned. These leaders plotting against Jesus hoped that he would either refute the law of Moses or else indirectly endorse killing the woman standing before them in the midst of a large crowd.

Jesus didn’t fall for it, however. We’re told that Jesus began writing something in the dusty ground with his finger. When the religious leaders kept goading him, Jesus said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). Then he started writing in the dust again as the Pharisees and other religious leaders walked away.

While we’re not told what Jesus wrote, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was a list of specific sins each of the religious leaders had committed. Maybe it was something else, but whatever it was, the message was clear. When Jesus asked who was left to accuse her, the woman told him none remained. He replied, “Then neither do I condemn you. . . . Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8: 11).

Jesus masterfully accepted and respected her without approving of her behavior. He showed compassion rather than join in with her accusers. He gave her a hopeful doorway out of her sinful life. There’s no better model for how we engage those around us who are participating in behaviors God identifies as sinful.

When faced with someone I know and care about who is living in direct contrast to the ways of God, I usually try to express something like this:

God loves us just the way we are, but too much to let us stay that way. He doesn’t condemn us, but he does want to change us. I think it’s similar to how I feel about my children. I try to love each one uniquely and unconditionally. But I still want them to do what’s truly best for them – not just whatever they feel like doing.

3. Never let the tone get contentious.

“When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact” (Dan. 2:14).

The irony of this approach is that our culture loves to encourage and exploit contentiousness. For many people, businesses, and organizations, any time spent in the spotlight of public attention—no matter how controversial the catalyst—is valuable. Social media and our Internet-driven culture reinforce the belief that everyone’s opinions, on all topics and at all times, not only matter but must be shared. And as we’ve all learned by now, plenty of mean-spirited critics and “haters” thrive online just by ranting and raving.

Perhaps it’s even worse when a personal conversation becomes contentious, with each party suddenly becoming defensive or even angry and antagonistic. However, the moment that dynamic surfaces, the opportunity for any real communication has pretty much disappeared. Whenever a friendly, respectful discussion becomes a political debate, power struggle, or theological boxing match, it feels like a personal attack.

Everyone quits listening at that point and either runs for cover, retreating and withdrawing, or prepares to fight, looking for points of attack. The examples set by Daniel and Jesus are clear, not to mention numerous others including Paul and James: our words matter because they reveal our hearts. Here’s what Jesus himself had to say about the power of our words to reveal what’s inside us:

For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matt. 12: 34–37)

The moment you make engaging with other people about “being right,” you need to stop and check your heart. You may need to apologize, share what you’re feeling, or leave and try again another day. But arguing with someone, let alone condemning them and their behavior as sinful, has never won a single person to the Lord. Even if they don’t show it or you can’t see it, most people already feel the weight of their secrets, their sins, and their struggles. They don’t need someone pressing down and adding to that weight. They need hope. They need someone who says, “I know what that feels like, but now I know the freedom of being forgiven.”

 If you struggle with letting your emotions get out of hand when relating to nonbelievers, then the best remedy I know is spending time with God. His heart always replenishes our experience of grace. When we encounter his mercy, love, and forgiveness, it’s hard not to pass it on to those around us.

Whenever I find myself in a cultural conversation that heats up, I usually try to change the tone of our discussion by saying:

 Hey, I can tell we’re both passionate about our beliefs. But I don’t want to argue about this. I’d rather have a relationship with you than win an argument. We can come back to this another time—tell me about . . . [your pet, your kids, your job, whatever will change the topic and build a relational bridge].”


4. Lead them to truth by identifying with their struggle.

“And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives” (Jude v. 22–23 NLT).

We should never shame or condemn people for their feelings—including same-sex attraction or desires to do immoral things. Why? Because we all have feelings, and just because we feel a certain way doesn’t mean we have to act on those feelings.

I have my own set of desires outside of God’s standard. In fact, I’m aware of it every time I read Scripture. As I have said, I’m not predisposed to monogamy. If a beautiful woman walks by, my flesh wants to lust. When this happens, I don’t just accept my lustful feelings; instead, I identify them as wrong, repent, and thank God for his grace and ask him to do a work inside of me. And we do the same thing for anyone who is struggling with anything. We embrace them as long as they desire repentance.

If they don’t desire repentance and want you to approve of their sin, then, obviously, that’s something you cannot do. However, withholding your approval does not mean condemning them. Too often, our culture likes to go to extremes—either we’re in full agreement or else we’re totally opposed. This kind of attitude makes it even more difficult for us as Christians to accept others without approving of their sinful standards or behaviors.

One way to live within this tension, however, is by identifying with their struggle. Other people are turned off when we come across—even unintentionally—as better than them, self-righteous, or legalistic. Nothing turns me off like a smug attitude, no matter the situation. When we display humility, authenticity, honesty, or even humor when appropriate, we relate to others as human beings, person to person, and eventually, heart to heart.

Once that heart connection takes place, you’ll find people are much more willing to hear the truth. When they know you and trust you and see that you’re for real, then they want to have what you have. They want to know Jesus.

When people defend their actions based on their feelings, I try to identify with the struggle our feelings can cause:

“You know, I struggle too. My feelings sometimes get in the way of the kind of person I want to be, the kind of person God wants me to be. I often desire things outside of God’s will for my life. While I’ve learned we can’t always change our feelings, we can evaluate them, see where they’re leading us, and ask God to change us.”

5. Paint the picture of what it looks like to come home.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15: 20).

No matter what someone has done or not done, it’s never too late for God to forgive them and to transform their lives. Our job is to make sure they know this, to paint an accurate and vivid picture of what it’s like to come home to the Lord. There are numerous ways to do this, especially once you know a person and have developed a level of trust or a heart connection with them.

Look for opportunities to build bridges and care for people every chance you get. This is the example we see throughout Jesus’ life. When he saw someone’s need, he met it—and then he addressed the greater spiritual need. Let those around you know you’re always willing and available to listen, to talk, even to pray with them. You’d be surprised how many non-Christians will ask me to pray with them. The goal is to always show a welcoming spirit of kindness, generosity, and graciousness. Leave the porch light on for them. This gives them a strong sense of the safe place that stems from coming home to God.

Look for opportunities to build bridges and care for people every chance you get.

When people reject God’s way, sometimes the best thing to do is wait and let them realize for themselves that going their own way doesn’t work. When they choose their own direction, I usually say something like:

If you ever change your mind—if you ever decide that your way isn’t working— if you ever find yourself in a miserable place and want to come home, I want to be the first person you call. I’m always willing to listen and help however I can.

Be the Daniel of Your Day

Let me honest with you. If you’re willing to adopt these five approaches, you will still struggle at times with what to say or how to respond to those around you. You might still have a hard time not letting your emotions erupt when confronted with culture’s sinful standards. You may even find yourself more aware of and sensitively attuned to the clash between God’s ways and the ways of the world. But the key is not to give up.

As we saw time and time again, Daniel stood his ground – even risking his life – to oppose the cultural pressure surrounding him. He didn’t argue, defend, explain, or debate. He simply made his boundaries clear with direct, respectful communication. As a result, Daniel shone like a beacon of God’s truth for seventy years, valued and esteemed by four different Babylonian regimes.

When culture shifts – and we know it always will – we believers should get excited. Because in the midst of these chaotic unsettling times, we live (and function) on solid ground. In Christ we possess the hope the world needs. And like the prophet Daniel, we are catalysts for redemptive change, people of influence who know our goal is not to be right, but to be effective. People who are willing to stand when it’s easier to bow under the weight of culture. People whose light shines brighter in the darkness of a sinful culture.

The world is waiting to see what you’ll do with what you’ve been given. Let them always see Christ in you. Let all that you do be done in love. Have we learned to love?”

Again, this is really good stuff and so pertinent for resourcing believers in the battle right now!! Contact me and I will email you the documents for distribution. Continued Blessings As You Go Forth>>>>  merlin  

I awoke at 4:59 am today, having entered the world of rest the evening prior at 10:28 pm according to my sleep monitor. I didn’t want to stay awake, I yearned for more. So I tapped my tablet and reactivated the music I’d been listening to the evening prior, a playlist from All SE Samonte Hymns 139 that is my music mainstay. Now at 6:39 AM I’m on #60 “Where He Leads Me.” All that time I have been quietly listening to these hymns, drifting in and out, just reflectively thanking God for his love to me, as expressed in so many diverse thought patterns and compilations of melodies, that continually flood my memory this morning of the life and times of my earliest recollections up to this very moment. Music is such an “enabler of worship” that we all innately possess but so seldom do we avail ourselves of its potential in meaningful “clips” throughout our busy hectic days.

This morning I soon realized returning to blissful sleep was simply not happening. About 5:35 I had an attack of sneezing. At least ten of them, followed by a constantly runny nose using up 5-6 tissues. This is very unusual for me. This winter I’ve learned such fits of suffering require multiple capsules of Vit C; this was severe enough to warrant swallowing 4. Prior my max was only 3. We’ll see if it works this time. Right now I’m listening to # 67, “God on the Mountain” as sung by the Higher Ground Quartet, one of my favorites. “But it’s down in the valley, of those trials and temptations That’s when faith is really put to the test. For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He’ll make them right.” Indeed!

Next up was # 68, “Sin Will Take You Farther.” And isn’t that the truth. If only I had possessed my present clarity of focus when I was a teenager and quite unconsciously without purpose, went about choosing the foundational pillars for many of my future relationships, associations, and investments without being tethered to many meaningful spiritual resources. I am thinking now of such as a vibrant daily devotional life, the presence of  a focused mentor(s) guiding me through key decisions while suffering major losses, and unfortunately, not always being fully open to accepting the overtures of a concerned fellowship where I could  intimately experience the joys and benefits of a nurturing community.

While writing this, I’ve been listening to “Just over Yonder,” “Trust His Heart,” “Sing to Me of Heaven,” “Trust and Obey,” “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” “No Friend Like Jesus,” “My God and I.” “Until Then,” and I will conclude with #78 on this You Tube track of 139 hymns with Michael Overholt’s “Daddy, Will You Be There For Me” as sung by the Esh Family.

I have been blessed, invigorated, and prepared for whatever my day may dish up for me. Hopefully you were encouraged as well! And yes, the Vit C worked within the hour, helped no doubt, by several steaming cups of Loretta’s fresh bone broth.

Before I leave I want to share a few prayer pointers I discovered recently from Matthew Kelly in his last book “Dig the Well Before You Get Thirsty.” He calls it “The Prayer Process.”

1. Gratitude: Begin by thanking God in a personal dialogue for whatever you are most thankful for today.

2. Awareness: Revisit the times in the past 24 hours when you were and were not the best-best-version-of-yourself. Talk to God about these situations and what you learned from them.

3. Significant Moments: Identify something you’ve experienced today and explore what God might be trying to say to you through that event (or person).

4. Peace: Ask God to forgive you for any wrong you have committed (against yourself, another person, or him) and to fill you with a deep and abiding peace.

5. Freedom: Speak with God about how he is inviting you to change your life, so that you can experience the freedom to be the-best-version-of-yourself.

6. Others: Lift up to God anyone you feel called to pray for today, asking God to bless and guide them.

7. Finish by praying “The Lord’s Prayer” or another of your choosing.

Frequently, I do this in the evening as I wind down my day writing down the date on a 3×5 card and numbering 1-6 and summarizing my reflections on each of the six, Gratitude, Awareness, etc.  The next morning during my devotions I then review the prior evening’s comments and perhaps even prior days if warranted.  

I’ve learned the Christian life is all about a relationship with Jesus and following his commandments, not merely intellectual assent as popularized today in this “bow-down” culture. And I am still failing miserably far too often. The secrete? Simply stay tethered!

Interesting that our Anabaptist forefathers could not understand a Christianity which made regeneration, holiness, and love primarily a matter of intellect, of doctrinal belief, or of subjective “experience,” rather than one of the transformation of life. They demanded an outward expression of the inner experience. Repentance must be “evidenced” by newness of behavior. One’s whole life was to be brought literally under the lordship of Christ in a covenant of discipleship, Their focus was not so much the inner experience of the grace of God, as it was for Luther, but the outward application of that grace to all human conduct and the consequent “Christianizing” of all human relationships. The true test of the believers, they held, is discipleship. The great word of the Anabaptists was not “faith” as it was with the reformers, but “following” (Nachfolge Christi). Quoted Harold S Bender’s “The Anabaptist Vision” Pg 20.

Blessings as you GO FORTH MORE AWARE, FACILITATED & EMPOWERED>>>>> merlin

^{This is the first of two posts from Chris Hodges “The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm & Love Well in a Culture of Compromise” taken directly from its final pages providing both light and reassurance. John Maxwell penned the following} “The Daniel Dilemma inspires us as it convicts, reminding us that the desperate, hurting people around us don’t need to be proven wrong – they need Jesus . With tenderness and strength, compassion and clarity, Chris Hodges shows us how to be humble servants of God, just like the prophet Daniel, influencing our culture instead of being consumed by its humanistic hunger. This book is a field guide to effective interactive living amongst the citizens of our broken 21st century world today – a must read!”

“Being a person of godly influence in an ungodly culture requires much more than just a personal opinion and a Bible verse. It requires a vibrant deep-seated personal faith and a sustaining intimate relationship with God, along with an ever-present reliance on him as your daily power source and guide. In fact, based on what we’ve seen exemplified by Daniel, here is a short list of what we need to do to get started on being a person of influence in our culture:

Know our God-given identities (Ch 1)

Settle our core values (Ch 2)

Be ready to stand our ground in the tests of life (Ch 3)

Worship God (Ch 4)

Don’t worship other gods (Ch 5)

Give our lives fully to Jesus (Ch 6)

Identify our pride (Ch 7)

Put our feelings in their proper place (Ch 8)

Give God control of our lives (Ch 9)

Understand the brevity of life (Ch 10)

Focus on our priorities (Ch 11)

Heed the warning signs of weariness (Ch 12)

Learn how to connect before we correct (Ch 13)

Let God change us into his likeness (Ch 14)

The attitudes and decisions from these chapters need to be in our hearts and minds before we take on the world around us. They equip us in ways that simply can’t be attained through any other means. They compel us to grow closer to God and to use this closeness as the motivation for how we stand up in a “bow-down world.”

As God does a work in us, we become vessels that he can use to impact others. Loved by God, saved by his Son, and empowered by his Spirit, we can influence the culture around us two major ways: spiritually and relationally. We need first to be prepared spiritually, and then we can engage in cultural relationships with maximum positive impact.  

“We humans are triune beings: body, soul, and spirit. It’s the spirit part of us that is like God and will live forever. And because each and every person has a spirit and is made in the likeness of God, we will always be on a spiritual journey. Like homing pigeons constantly returning to their nests, our spirits are continually in search of their Creator. This innate spiritual part of us explains why we are the only part of creation that worships. And it’s also why we need to fight the cultural battle spiritually.

How do we do that? The same way Jesus did. He came face-to-face with the Devil when he was tempted in the wilderness (see Matt. 4 and Luke 4), and every time the Enemy tried to tempt him, Jesus responded with a verse from the Bible. He used the Sword of Truth to defend himself from the Enemy’s attacks. Think of it this way: Jesus didn’t confront the Devil as God. He confronted the Devil as a man with the Word of God. We should do the same thing. Because each and every person has a spirit and is made in the likeness of God, they will always be on a spiritual journey.

Here are five scriptures and five model prayers we can pray (make them your own) for the people God has given us to influence:”

1. Pray that the Father would draw them to Jesus.

 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6: 44).

I remember the day I gave my life to Jesus. I had been in church my whole life, but this day was different. Something was stirring inside of me. I’m still not sure how best to explain it. I just knew that God was dealing with me, and I needed to respond. There was this natural, magnetic pull to the truth of the gospel—an invisible, irresistible tug on my heart. This is something God does, not something we can make happen out of our own striving, so we need to be faithful in praying that the Father would draw those he’s placed on our hearts to Jesus.

Father, I pray for the people around me, that you would supernaturally draw their hearts to you. Send your Holy Spirit to them, and give them the desire to give their lives to you. Help them to recognize their longing for more as spiritual, as a thirst only you can quench. Open their ears to hear your voice.

2. Bind the spirit that blinds their minds.

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4: 4).

The truth can be right in front of some people, and they still can’t see it. That’s because something is in the way. Something is blocking their view of God. We can pray against whatever is in the way, though, so they can see the light of God. We can pray that they would see the truth without any obstacles or distractions interfering.

Father, bind the evil spirits that are blinding the minds of the people around me in the name of Jesus. I pray that they would be able to see clearly, to recognize who you are, and to give their hearts to you. Remove all hindrances the Enemy would use to distract them from your truth. Open their eyes, Lord, that they might see Jesus.

3. Let loose the spirit of adoption (personal relationship with God).

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’” (Rom. 8: 15).

Many people think Christianity is just another religion. They only see God through the lens of the organization and institution of the church. They may even feel frustrated, angry, or betrayed by people in churches they have encountered or by religious legalists and their hypocrisy. But God didn’t come to build an organization. He came to have relationship with his children. He wants his kids to come home. Praying for people to have personal encounters with the living God makes a huge difference.

Father, I pray that people will understand how much you love them. Loose the spirit of adoption for the people around me, so that they come into a meaningful relationship with you. Stir in their hearts a longing to come home, to hear your voice, and to see you welcoming them with open arms. Let them know you are always running to meet them and hold them close.

4. Pray that believers will enter into positive relationships with the lost, and pray that we will see the opportunities that come across our paths.

“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matt. 9: 38).

This one is twofold: we can pray for other Christians to influence the people around them positively, and we can also look for opportunities to influence others positively ourselves. God’s plan to reach people is worked through those who already know and love him. Jesus asked us to pray for people to go into the world and be salt and light. He came to bring the good news of the gospel to all people, and his desire is that everyone would know and love him. As his “spiritual farmers,” we should be attuned to opportunities to plant spiritual seeds in the lives of the people we encounter each day. We may have no idea who has already been praying for them and the culminating impact a kind word, a compassionate act, or a loving attitude can have to draw someone to Christ.

Father, I pray for the lost around me to meet believers who will influence them in a positive way. Lord, let my life shine in such a way that people want to know the God I serve. Allow others to see my genuine love and concern for them in all that I say and do. Let me be your hands and feet to serve them and let them know just how much you love them.

5. Release the spirit of wisdom and revelation on them, so they may know God better.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Eph. 1: 17).

It’s that “eureka” moment. That “aha!” when it finally clicks. It happens in class when you suddenly understand the math equation or how something works. The most important moment for it to happen is when the lights come on spiritually. People need to see their own sin, see what Jesus did on the cross, and see the hope that comes from giving their life to God. They need wisdom, not just knowledge, of spiritual things and insight into how spiritual things directly impact them.

Father, I pray for the people around me to experience the spirit of wisdom and revelation. I pray that they would truly understand their spiritual condition and see what Jesus did for them on the cross. Help them to have the information and experiences needed to come to you, so they can understand all you have for them.”

_{I suggest you study these five scriptures & prayers from the book beginning Pg. 235 to guide you in become a shining light for those persons deceived by the globalist agenda & postmodern culture.}

^{The above is so pertinent for resourcing believers to help others exit their pitch black caves as we are empowered! Contact me and I will email you the documents for distribution, or even better, buy the book and prepare! The next post is equally vital beginning on Pg 240. Continued Blessings As You Go Forth>>>>  merlin}  

Taken verbatim from the final chapter in Gary Miller’s book “Going Till You’re Gone.”

The Spirit of Caleb

When the twelve Israelites spies returned from spying out the land of Canaan, the Bible says only two of the spies brought back a report that was pleasing to God. God mentions Caleb specifically by name when he makes his wonderful declaration “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land where into he went; and his seed shall possess it.”

Something in Caleb was different. Caleb saw the same giants in the land of Canaan the other spies had seen. He knew those mighty Canaanite armies were more powerful than the Israelites. He had seen the wall cities and the mighty fortresses. He was even well aware that the children of Anak lived there – men rumored to be nine feet tall and extremely fierce. Caleb knew all this. He knew the Israelites were like grasshoppers beside this kind of enemy. So why did Caleb indignantly face the people and say, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it”?

God answers that question for us. He says, “Because he had another spirit with him.”

Another Spirit!

Something different was driving Caleb. He saw something the others did not and arrived at conclusions that seems strange and wrong to the majority. Caleb didn’t win the argument at Kadesh Barnea, and for almost forty years he found himself plodding along in the dusty desert, listening to the murmuring of the faithless masses.

But at the end of Caleb’s life, we get one more glimpse into the spirit. If there was ever a qualified candidate for retirement, it was Caleb. If anyone deserve rest from the battle, wasn’t it him? Moses was gone now, and with a large family, a long history of faithful service, and the normal aches and pains that eighty-five years brings to a body, surely it was time for the La-Z-Boy. But instead we find Caleb begging Joshua to let him take on those same giant Anakims his peers had been so fearful of and who still resided in the hill country. “Now therefore give me this mountain,“ Caleb pled with Joshua.

Picture this in your mind. An eighty-five-year-old man begs his commander to be allowed to take one more mountain! Imagine the effect this has on younger soldiers! How many young men went out to battle with renewed vigor because of inspiration of Caleb’s example? The Lord said Caleb had another spirit but what kind of spirit was it? What would inspire a man like Caleb to keep asking for more battles and more opportunities to fight? Let’s look at some characteristics and attitudes that define the spirit of Caleb.

1. Caleb stood for truth.

We would you like to assume that peer pressure is a problem only for youth, but most of us are very susceptible to it even in old age. Can you imagine standing up against ten other spies and all the tribes and stating an opinion so wildly unpopular that they were ready to stone you? The visible facts were not in Caleb’s favor. There really were giants, walled cities, and much bigger armies in that land. We can only imagine the murmuring and murderous threats. What kind of a man would try to take us and our children into that kind of slaughter? But Caleb trusted God and was willing to stand for truth in the face of the opposition. That was part of the spirit of Caleb. And I am thankful to see that same spirit in many older believers I know today.

2. Caleb was a man of persistent pursuit.

Caleb never lost his vision for following God. All through those years of wandering in the wilderness, his pursuit of the will of God was clear. It would have been tempting to succumb to discouragement out there. Caleb couldn’t understand from the beginning why the rest of the people wouldn’t just believe what God said. And after many years of putting up with their unbelief, it would have only been normal to feel like surrendering. But Caleb didn’t give up.

Years later the apostle Paul described that same passion and desire to follow God when he said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Those are the words of a man who, with purpose of heart, is pursuing God with all he has. Caleb and the Apostle Paul both exhibited a single purpose in their lives that was contagious.

3. Caleb compared the problem to the promise.

It seems like Caleb couldn’t even imagine a promise from God not being performed. Too often I find myself considering the obstacles, and there are always plenty of them to examine. Sometimes I think I even have a “gift” for this! There is nothing wrong with examining problems. I think God wants us to be realistic about our obstacles, and I believe Caleb was. He saw the giants just as clearly as any of the other spies did. But while the ten spies compared their ability to the problem, Caleb compared the problem to the promise.

4. Caleb didn’t live in the past.

We have a tendency as we grow older to focus more on past battles than on present warfare. Caleb didn’t do that. Think what wonderful history tours Caleb could have conducted! Can you imagine the stories he could have told and the talks he could have given? There is time to look back and learn from the past. There is nothing wrong with recounting history, admiring days gone by, and reliving victories past, but it is valuable only if equips us for the battle today. We are not living in the time of the early church or the Reformation. While there is much we can learn from those eras, we need to keep our primary focus on the mountains that haven’t been conquered yet.

Caleb lives out this truth. He didn’t allow the victories of the past to so envelop his mind that he became useless in fighting the battle in his day. He didn’t try to take all the mountains, and neither did he let the fact that there were many mountains keep him from his. Where is your focus? What is the battle in your day? What is the mountain on which God is calling you to fight? You will need to prayerfully address this question in your own life, but rest assured, God has a mountain for you.

Conclusion

Alfred Noble need a midcourse correction in his life. Many never have that opportunity. Take time to analyze your life. Examine it carefully and then answer this question: Would the way you envisioned living the last half of your life make sense if the gospel didn’t exist?

Many of us find it easy to believe we are living lives of self-denial and dedication to Jesus, when in reality we may be simply conforming to the expectations of our particular church or culture. Some of the things we like to think are a sign a selfless living may actually make our lives much more enjoyable and stress-free. There are enough natural benefits in belonging to believers’ churches that, even if the gospel were a myth, there would be plenty of reasons to continue living as we are.

But what I have consistently noticed in believers who are sold out for Christ is that their lives would be pure foolishness were it not for the gospel. Their dedication to Jesus Christ causes them to make choices that don’t make earthly sense.

I am blessed as I see a growing number of middle-aged and elderly believers taking another look at what it means to live the Christian life. They have the spirit of Caleb, a desire to conquer more mountains for the Lord.

May the spirit of Caleb describe your life as well. My prayer is that your generation be recognized not for casually coasting but for continuing to conquer. May you be known for intentionally pursuing the enemy, encouraging your fellow soldiers, and fighting for the Kingdom. And may you keep on going in his strength – till you’re gone.

Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come. Psalms 71:18

What follows below is the final chapter “The Spirit of Caleb,” from the book “Going Till You’re Gone” that I introduced you to last time. This is the first half of the chapter. The second half will post Friday

On Friday, April 13, 1888, Alfred Nobel sat down to read his French newspaper and received an unpleasant shock. There across the front page in the bold print the headlines screamed, “Le marchand de la mort est mort (The merchant of death is dead).” Alfred sat in stunned amazement and read his own obituary. He and his brother Ludvig were both famous inventors, and the newspaper had mistakenly thought Alfred had died instead of Ludvig is. As the morning progressed, that headline would not leave Alfred‘s mind.

Merchant of Death

Was that really what the world thought of him? When he died, was that how he would be remembered? Alfred had invented dynamite. His objective had been common good by providing a better way to construct tunnels, canals, and bridges.

Though Alfred’s school had been to help humanity, this article went on to portray him as a responsible for the arms race of the day. It describes him as a killer, a “bellicose monster“ whose inventions had served to “boost the bloody art of war from bullets and bayonets to long-range explosives. A peaceful man at heart and an inventor by nature, this strong indictment was unsettling. Was this the legacy he was leaving? Had all of his work in explosives just furthered the cause of warfare and fueled the continual conflict that consumed humanity?

Alfred was a wealthy man, as the article noted, and that morning he resolved to make some changes. Not wanting to go down in history with such an awful epitaph, Alfred Noble created a will that shocked his family and established the now famous Noble Peace Prize, designed to reward individuals who encourage peace between nations. Today Alfred Noble is better known for his contribution to world peace than for his invention of dynamite.

Alfred had an opportunity that most of us do not have – a chance to reevaluate his legacy late in life and make some adjustments. How would your obituary read? What would you be best known for if you died today? If someone wrote an article about your life, your pursuits, and your accomplishments, what would it say?

The Orange Revolution

Thursday morning, November 25, 2004, Natalia Dmytruk, forty-eight, soberly walked into the studio of the state run television station in Ukraine. Natalia couldn’t help but tremble as she considered the task before her and the potential cost to herself and her family. Yet as she said later when interviewed, “I was sure I would tell people the truth that day. I just felt this was the moment to do it.”

The national presidential elections in Ukraine that year had been a messy affair. Ukrainian reformer Viktor Yushchenko was running against the Russian-backed incumbent prime minister, and in the middle of the race, Yushchenko had suddenly been poisoned. The mysterious dioxin poisoning had almost killed him and permanently disfigured his face, and Viktor’s family and friends had pled with him to withdraw from the race. But Viktor Yushchenko refused to give up so easily, and by election day, the polls showed him with a comfortable 10% lead. The people of Ukraine were obviously ready for a change.

But the existing regime had only begun to fight. Throughout the election process there were widespread reports of corruption. Election monitors reported extensive vote rigging, and despite Viktor Yushchenko’s popularity, the government prepared to announce the incumbent president of Ukraine had been reelected.

As Natalia Dmytruk entered the television studio that morning she had a choice. She could tell the public what the government was saying, or she could tell them the truth. Natalia was not a primary anchor for the television station; her job was to communicate with the hearing impaired. As Ukrainians watched the news, Natalie appeared in a small box in the lower corner of their televisions as she translated the newscaster’s message into sign language.

So on that Thursday morning, as the newscasters broadcasted the government-scripted message to the general public, Natalia signed. But when the newscasters relayed the false message that the government-backed candidate had won, Natalia, in a daring protest, signed to the deaf who were watching, “I am addressing everybody who is deaf in the Ukraine. Our president is Viktor Yushchenko. Do not trust the results of the central election committee. They are all lies…. And I am very ashamed to translate such lies to you. Maybe you will see me again – ” she concluded, hinting at what might happen to her when the authorities found out. She then continued signing the rest of the officially scripted news as it was given.

Natalie’s defiance of the regime started what has become known as the Orange Revolution. Deaf citizens used their cell phones to send text messages carrying the real story to others and within a matter of hours, masses of Ukrainian citizens spilled into the streets protesting the fraudulent election results. Natalia’s act of defiance in emboldened publics protests that grew until the government finally buckled. A new election was held, and the opposition candidate, Viktor Yushchenko was eventually declared the winner.

A Christ-Centered Counter-Culture Demonstration

Natalia Dmytruk was given only a small window on the big screen, but she used it in a powerful way to expose truth. As I consider the events surrounding the Orange Revolution and the impact of her message in the little window at the lower right-hand corner of the screen, I am reminded of the opportunities we believers have been given.

The prevalent message going out is that wealth, fame, and natural beauty matters. I am amazed by our societies infatuation with celebrities. I see older people on airplanes pouring over glossy magazines, admiring and discussing the rich and famous. Never mind that many of these famous folks do not retain a relationship more than a few years, or that they seem to be constantly entering or leaving a rehab facility for drug abuse. Even though they represent the segment of society least capable of coping with life, the public admires and emulates them.

Our culture has developed a kind of point system. Good looks, physical ability, wealth, and fame each bring with them a certain number of points. Our value as individuals depends on how many points we have. When a movie star is good-looking, wealthy, and famous, the world beats a path to his mansion. Natural ability, fame, fortune and now censorship, obviously control the big screen.

But the entire message of the screen age is false. Everything around us, all the earthly power, possessions, and prestige, will soon be worthless. That’s the truth. And each of us has been given just a little corner of the screen to proclaim this reality. Our responsibility is to use our corner of our screen to faithfully deliver the Christ-centered, counter-cultural truth. Regardless of the fact that the big screen is continually screaming a censored, self-centered, self-indulgent, materialistic message, astute believers know better.

So how are you using the small corner of the screen you have been given? What kind of a message is coming from your life? What message do you envision coming out of your final years?

A Cloud of Witnesses

Immediately following the catalog of the faithful in the 11th chapter of Hebrews, the writer says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily ensnare us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” The writer had just enumerated many faithful men who served the Lord, and he refers to them as a “cloud of witnesses.” He encourages us to imitate their faithful lives.

After interviewing many faithful examples and reading stories of others, I think I know a little of what the writer of Hebrews must have felt. I could tell about John, who, though not wealthy enough to give of his own resources, gleaned produce in orchards and fields after harvest and took his grandchildren with him while he distributed what he had gleaned to the poor. Or Timothy, who, fighting cancer and grieving the death of his wife for 47 years, committed the remainder of his life to evangelizing and counseling dysfunctional families in the inner city. I think of Luke, whose wife left him four years after their marriage. His testimony of fidelity, even though it meant living alone for over sixty-five years, encouraged many who came after to remain faithful and take their vows seriously. And Mike and Edna who, though they could afford to travel anywhere in the world, chose to use their vacation time and money to aid in disaster relief work. I remember Robert, who, despite having lost both his legs, traveled with a work team to help earthquake victims in Haiti. I could list dozens of other older believers who have used  their little corner of the screen to proclaim truth in their day and who have left behind a legacy Kingdom building.

Biblical stewardship is not only a way of giving, but a way of living. What really inspires us to be involved in the lives of others? What causes us to sit up and take notice? Some of the examples I mentioned above were raised in wonderfully godly homes. Others were not. Some had wealth and ability, while others had little of either. So what did all of these people have in common? What qualities in the lives of older mentors motivate us to change our own lives? What are the ingredients for a dynamic, Spirit-filled, Kingdom-focused life that inspires others?

An Old Testament character had those ingredients. The Bible doesn’t give a lot of detail about his life but it gives enough for us to understand that this man has something different. His name was Caleb. We’ll pick up with the uniqueness of Caleb’s traits for us to emulate in the next post.

Reflect dear friend while yet you may!

It does seem that I have been more reflective about life since 12:45 pm 1/15/21. Slipping on the snowy grass, I was instantly flat out in the mud with my wind knocked out of me. I recalled instantly the scars were still showing from my forehead connecting with driveway stone in late October. And I just recouped from toe surgery the day before Christmas, that required more Tylenol to keep me comfortable than my triple bypass did in July. Not another incident surely! And I was just beginning to enjoy the benefits of that toe being fixed and walking with no pain!.

No doubt this was real. I now had “crunchy” bones as proof. Loretta was gone but would return soon. Eventually, I rolled from my left side to my back and then as able, I rolled over on my right side and in 20 minutes, I was on my feet and in a warm house. Loretta returned and I let her attend her mother and put the groceries away before walking into her presence and freaking her out. I was a mess. A little blood for effect and a whole lot of mud; after all, I did need to roll over before I got up, but not before scrunching up my legs and getting up on my knees. It felt so good to be standing again!

So I’m 8 days into this narrative already and this is what I’ve learned thus far. The ER informed me Friday I had broken 3 ribs and my left clavicle so I go home in a sling and sleep well with aid of an oxy something and use Tylenol during the day. Monday I saw my GP and yup, I had also broken my L scapula (shoulder blade). We figured that out over the weekend because scapula’s make a lot of noise and pain after a break because it so hard to immobilize the two pieces so that they can knit unless they put you into an induced coma… certainly not protocol for such trivia. I broke my R scapula most recently five years ago and within two weeks I was working again. This one is much more stubborn and I’ve learned even the oxy does not kill the “grating” pain so I quit the Tylenol and will soon quit the oxy too since all it does is destroys my “regularity”.

So bear with me readers, the above account is of course, not the sole cause for my reflection the past eight days but each such event does create focus. And I’m also quite sure future generations will never fully ascertain the truth of this week’s events either regardless of the massive documentation. But my reflection today soars way beyond any current domestic and foreign trivia.

I took time today to immerse myself in a quick read historical book loaned me by my sister Verla, titled “Honey Bread and Milk: A Couple’s Quest to be Faithful” by a Joyce Gingerich Zuercher, who was the first to make Amos and Nannie Gingerich grandparents, and was even more privileged to live near them during her early years. It is an amazing account of one couple , Amos and Nannie’s lifetime of self-less living to their Lord, to each other, their children, their churches/congregations, institutions, etc Amos Gingerich was an older sibling of my grandfather, J C Gingerich, from Kalona IA.

The story begins in Europe when Christian Guengerich, born in 1648 in Heimberg, is the earliest known Gingerich ancestor who was imprisoned in Schwartzeneck Prison for his Anabaptist teachings. He escaped from prison and left Switzerland with his family, leasing various estates across the Palatinate.

Already in the 18^th century Europe, the Anabaptist Amish were known as innovative, conscientious farmers. Wars early in the century had decimated the rural population and ravaged the countryside, so many lords, knowing the reputation of the Amish, invited them to manage their estates. Eventually, in the 1740’s our Gingerich and Swartzedruber ancestors settled in the Waldeck area at the invitation of Prince Karl August Friedrick of Waldeck.

Jacob Swartzendruber had been ordained in Germany before immigrating to Johnson County IA in 1851 and was ordained in 1853 as their first Amish bishop. Jacob was Amos’s great grandfather whereas Nannie’s grandfather, Christian Warye, was an Amish minister from IN, who moved his family to IA in 1884.

I’ll not bore you with any more details but I know some of the people, many of the places, and now definitely, being a bit more fragile at 72 years of age, I can better relate to the canvas of life as it is being rolled by in my presence…. And considering, I really do not even possess any significant  memorable history of my grandfather J C Ginerich either! When I was 15, I saw him for two days, when I was 10 maybe for two days, several weeks when I was 8, since he moved to Phoenix AZ area selling his MN farm when I was only 5. Rather sparse interactions compared to many of you. Enough on my “withering roots.”

And so what do I do next during a “reflective” sunny Saturday, except pick up a book I pulled out today earlier while on a search for a friend stuck in Aultman cardiac waiting for the same op by the same surgeon as I had six months ago. I’ve read this book before and greatly appreciate it and its author, Gary Miller and “Going Till You’re Gone: Rethinking Retirement: A Kingdom – focused vision in midlife and beyond.”

But now I have a big problem. I can only type with one hand …. And I really desire to end this post with his 5 page introduction to this book; because I think Gary summarizes quite well why I am so reflective of late. It’s not just my freak accidents, or the cloudy obscure national and international and events including censorship, etc. It is so much bigger than everything we think we’re seeing, hearing, even feeling. And I think Gary feels it too. Give a listen to his Intro verbatim.

In the end he stood alone. His admirers, loyal associates, and ardent followers were gone. People who had eagerly listened, begging for advice and hanging on to his every word, were no longer interested. Even his closest friends and family had deserted him. In his final hour, when support and encouragement were desperately needed, they had fled. There had been a time, not very long ago, when some of the wealthiest and most famous names in society had wanted to be seen with him. He had been admired and sought after. But not now. Now he stood by himself, and as the judge pronounced his awful sentence, the angry onlookers cheered.

This man was Madoff. He was 71 years old, and his sentence was 150 years in prison for operating the largest Ponzi scheme in the history of humanity. For years Bernard had paid higher dividends on investments than any of his competitors could match. His company Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, with its unmatched dividends, was the talk of the rich and famous. But unknown to them, Bernard was simply using new deposits to pay high dividends on the old. And when the entire scheme came crashing down, he had bilked investors out of billions of dollars.

From wealthy billionaires to poor widows who were counting on deposited money to take them through their retirement, angry people came forward demanding justice and retribution. Bernard’s scam caused untold misery, not only in the lives of depositors, but in his own life as well. His children and wife of 50 years disowned him in disgust. And as time passed, emotional repercussions from Bernard‘s crime continue to haunt him. Exactly two years after the day Bernard was arrested, his son Mark, a husband and father, unable to bear the reproach brought on the family name, committed suicide in his New York apartment.

Today “Bernie,” identified his prisoner No. 61727–054, has transitioned from his $8 million penthouse on E. 64th St., in New York to an 8 x 10 cell in the federal correctional complex in Burner, North Carolina. Rather than dining on caviar with rich celebrities, you will find him eating cold sandwiches with drug dealers. The man who once recruited investors an exclusive country clubs is now only allowed to venture out of his concrete cell to get fresh air every other day, exercising in a cage on the roof. It is a pathetic ending to a sad story.

Bernard Madoff’s story is an example of self-centeredness and greed. With an eye only on profit and personal gain, Madoff destroyed his marriage, his relationship with his sons, and the trust his many clients placed in him. But Bernard Madoff is not the only man who has pursued a self-centered path. Self is the theme of our day. Our society constantly shouts that life is about me. It tells me that I should do what I want to do and go where I want to go. Marketers constantly proclaim that it’s all about me, and public schools offer classes to boost self-esteem. Just pick up one of our daily newspapers and read the advice column. If your parents, spouse, or job are no longer fulfilling, move on. Me should obviously be the primary focus in decision making.

But somehow when a Bernard Madoff comes along and puts all that self-centered teaching into practice, everyone is disgusted. No one really admires the result of a self-focused life. At some basic level we understand and we wouldn’t want to live in a culture where everyone was completely living for self. And yet self continues to be promoted. We are taught that life’s aim is self-fulfillment. I am to pursue things that satisfy me, that feel good to me, and that make me happy.

We could wish that this focus on me was limited to the secular world. But sadly, the self-centered emphasis has infiltrated churches and gradually reshaped their views on finances and possessions – as well as on retirement. If you listen to many prominent “Christian“ teachers, you will discover the same focus.  Retirement is promoted as a time to enjoy life and benefit from the things you have accumulated.

We are familiar with advertisements for exotic vacations, timeshare offers, and the ever-changing myriad of recreational products offered today. In our self-centered society one would expect these. However, wouldn’t marketers understand the foolishness of using self-focused advertising to attract a self-denying people? Unfortunately, even “Christian“ articles and advertisements today assume that believers are best motivated by appeals to self-gratification.

Volunteering during retirement is encouraged. Why? Because of how much better it will make you feel about yourself. Retirement accounts and various financial investments are promoted. For what reason? Because they will make it easier to enjoy retirement and do the things you have always longed to do. The theme recurs: it is all about me. Recently, in a brochure promoting volunteering at a Christian rest home, I noticed these words; “We want your volunteer experience to be fun and fulfilling.” Is there a problem with spending our older years in enjoyable activities? Is it wrong to find fulfillment in volunteering?

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying our final years. I think God Himself is pleased when we enjoy life. But there is a problem when fun and fulfillment become our primary focus. When we drift from serving the Lord to serving ourselves, we depart from a Biblical Kingdom focus.

What has caused this shift in Christianity? During the years of the early church and the early Christian martyrs, Christianity was known as radical religion. Men and women who chose to follow Jesus willingly walked away from their former self-centered lives. Today, an observing unbeliever can often see little difference between his own value system and the materialistic focus of people who claim to be following Jesus. Is Christianity no longer a life-changing religion?

Several years ago I talked to middle-aged believer who was trying to get a vision for the last half of his life. He started quietly interviewing older men in his church fellowship to understand their vision and find out how they were occupying themselves during her final years. When I talked to him after he had spoken to several of his fellow worshipers, he was discouraged.

 He asked one of the older brothers how he was using his time and energy, and this older man replied that he was a paper hanger. The younger man told me that at first he was excited. This older man was still active and had a vision. But then the older man went on to explain. “My wife gives me a roll of toilet paper every once in a while, and I hang it up.”

In a joking way he was admitting that he was accomplishing very little. But what really bothered the younger man was the fact that the older man seem pleased with his lack of accomplishment. He seemed almost proud of it. He had worked hard in his life, and even though he was still in good health and capable of working, he has no vision for achieving anything more. The younger man found this disturbing. “Where is the older generation’s vision?” He asked. “There is so much they could be doing in their older years.”

I am thankful there are many older ones among us who do have a vision for enriching and expanding the Kingdom. There are still believers who are willing to spend and be spent for the Kingdom until the end. Yet it is easy to grow weary of the battle at times, and I think every older believer has a longing for heaven. We look at this sin-cursed, polluted, immoral world, and there are times you would just like to step off the planet. We watch with concern as the ungodly society we grew up with gives birth to a generation that seems even more intent on forgetting God. We can’t help but wonder what is on the horizon. How many more Bernie Madoffs will our society churn out? How much worse can it get?

Perhaps the Apostle Paul had similar thoughts. He wrote of his desire to depart and be with Christ, which would be far better. I think Paul experienced times of battle fatigue –  times of wishing he could just forget the struggle and go on home to glory. But Paul didn’t camp there, and neither should we. He went on to say that he knew it was needful for him to stay and bless the church of that day. In other words, Paul was determined to give all his energy to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ until he was called home by God Himself.

This is my prayer for each of you as you remember the past, consider the present, and anticipate the future. May your heart burn with a desire to be useful to the end! Regardless of the mistakes or poor choices you may have made, may you resolve to devote the rest of your time to God. Someday the Lord will call you home. But as you look forward to the final years of your life, I pray that you will have a growing desire to live for the Lord Jesus. I pray that as long as you live, you will maintain a godly vision, exhort and encourage your fellow believers, and keep on going till you’re gone!