It's Friday, But Sunday's Coming...

The story of Jesus' crucifixion is one of betrayal, brutality, pain and despair. But Jesus' story doesn't end at the cross.



It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!

I Am Barabbas...

This post by Mark Batterson spoke to me on this Good Friday.

This thought keeps going through my mind today: I am Barabbas.

Imagine what that Friday must have been like for him. He was sitting in a jail cell awaiting his execution. He knew it was the last day of his life. It was the end. There was no hope. Then he hears the crowd chanting his name and the next thing he knows he's a free man. The charges are dropped. His life that was almost over starts over. And a sinless man named Jesus literally takes his place. He expected to die. He deserved to die. But his execution, in the sovereign plan of God, was scheduled on the same day Jesus was arrested.

If ever there was a picture of II Corinthians 5:21 this is it: "God made him who knew no sin to become sin for us."

I am Barabbas.

Leadership Can Be Lonely...

Pete Wilson posted this on his blog earlier this week. I felt Pete articulated well one of the challenges of leadership.

Very early in my ministry I had another leader tell me leadership can be a lonely activity.

I've worked very hard in my life to surround myself with other leaders. I've worked hard to empower the people around me and build authentic community. However, I agree, there is an element to leadership that is lonely. Whether it’s leadership in a church, leadership in the workplace, or even leadership in your home.

In leadership you carry a weight and responsibility which can drive you to a very lonely place. A healthy leader will allow this loneliness to drive them to a greater dependence on God.

Luke 22:39-46 recounts how Jesus asks his disciples to pray with him. It was such an intense time of temptation the Bible tells us as He prayed “his sweat was like drops of blood”. After he finished he walked back over to his disciples to find them asleep.

In leadership you’re often going to feel as if your fighting a battle alone. You're going to ask…

- Does anyone care?

- Is anyone else as passionate as I am about this cause?

- Will anyone else sacrifice?

Jesus lived in the reality that even when you do life in community leadership can be lonely. Just hours later even his closest follower would deny knowing him.

Reflecting on this passage and these principles makes me realize…

1) If it happened to Jesus it will happen to you. People will abandon you and yes, you will feel lonely. And let’s be honest. Because you’re not Jesus and you have sins like pride and arrogance you’re going to bring some of this upon yourself. Whenever you step into any kind of leadership role make sure you count the cost.

2) Extend grace whenever possible. One of my favorite scenes in the Bible would happen a few weeks later in John 21 when Jesus and Peter have a little chat on the beach. Jesus would take this opportunity to extend grace to Peter and re-communicate his belief in him. Jesus always chose to see people for who they could be rather than who they were in that very moment.

3) Don’t get bitter and withdraw. I've had way too many ministers tell me they don’t do “friends”. Whhhhhhat? Listen we've all been hurt. We've all been tempted to withdraw into our own little cocoon and never trust again. Don’t fall into that trap. Jesus invested in a bunch of guys who he knew would abandon Him in His time of greatest need. Developing authentic relationships is risky business in the midst of leadership, but it’s a risk you need to take.

100 Best Movie Lines...

And the Oscar for "Best Editing" goes to... "100 Best Movie Lines in 200 Seconds."



Can you name the movies from which these quotes came?

Gaining Credibility...

The following was recently posted by Brad Lomenick. I thought Brad's comments were insightful.

A young friend of mine in his early twenties asked me the other day how I had gained credibility and a platform over the last 10-15 years. The first thing that is important to know about my answers and my perspective: this is a work still in progress. I have not arrived.

But after giving him some thoughts on this, I thought it might be helpful to the community here on the blog. So here you go- my thoughts on gaining credibility:

1. Be Self Aware- first, you have to have an accurate understanding of who you are and where you are in life. A very clear and realistic picture of your self identity and current reality. If you are 24, you have to understand that life experiences and job experience probably aren’t something you can hang your hat on.

2. Listen, Listen, Listen. Ask great questions of those around you, and then listen to the answer. Don’t talk until you have something to say. But learn to ask great questions and learn from them. This is especially true in a team environment.

3. Experience creates expertise- this is obvious, but sometimes we forget. Credibility comes with action- doing, not just thinking or talking. Jump in and get involved.

4. A platform takes time- it’s just a reality. Most of us aren’t patient enough to spend adequate time at doing something until we gain a platform or credibility. We usually lose interest, get bored, or just simply move on to something else. The key- stick with it.

5. Connect with leading organizations, networks and individuals- connect with companies, teams or individuals who are highly respected, and you’ll gain respect. But the key on this- connect with them and ask how you can help them, not how you can gain from them.

Five Things That Always Make Me Cry...

Susan and I were leaving a movie theatre recently after having watched a real tear-jerker. I was clearly not the only sensitive man in the audience in touch with his feelings, as I noticed several other males in the crowd dabbing at their eyes with a handkerchief, or slipping on their sunglasses (it was 10:30 p.m.).

That experience got me thinking about men and crying... and since I am a sensitive man in touch with my feelings, I decided to make a list of the Five Things That Always Make Me Cry. Here's my list:

Crowds applauding handicapped people - it doesn't matter if it’s a Special Olympics medal ceremony, or handing out prizes at a Jesus Party. If people clap, I cry. Kleenex.

Old Yeller - if you've never seen this movie, come prepared with a box of Kleenex. Make that a case of Kleenex.

My wife crying - This works like yawning. If Susan cries, I cry almost immediately. Kleenex, please.

Cats not dying - I saw a cat almost get hit by a car the other day. Good thing I had Kleenex handy.

Getting a shot at the doctor's office - Well, it used to. Now I act like a bug flew in my eye. Nurse, may I please have a Kleenex?

Okay, what makes you cry?

You Will Not Get This On American Airlines...

This guy seems to be missing his calling... or maybe not.

Making flying just a bit more fun.