Late-term abortions doctor George Tiller was gunned down and killed while serving as an usher at a Kansas church today.  Police have arrested a suspect.  It is interesting now that this tragedy is being talked about in political terms.  Read the story HERE.

The bottom line for me is that this is sad news.  It is not about politics or about a stand for or against abortion rights.  I do not like late-term abortions, or any abortions for that matter. I love life.  This is not the way, however, to solve a problem.   Call it vigilante justice if people want, but I think this is called murder. When will we learn that the kindness of God leads to repentance?

I plan to pray for the shooter and his family as well as Dr. Tiller’s family.

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. Psalm 77:19 NIV

...through the darkest days of my life…..where were you God…..I only saw one set of footprints in the sand…..where were you God….those were the times, my child, when I carried you…….

You are familiar with the Footprints poem that has been commercialized onto plates, pictures, ties, refrigerator magnets, bookmarks, etc., etc., etc.. I once thought it was overused. In fact, I wondered where the Biblical reference for it was. I knew it was true, because I had experienced it so many times in my life, but I didn’t know the reference to back it up until I read this verse years ago.

Of course, this verse refers to the famous march through the middle of the waters by that powerful leader we know as Moses. Can you imagine how the Israelites felt? They had escaped the years of slavery and persecution to head for what they thought was a chance at real freedom and along came the Pharoah’s finest, ready to put them on the chopping block. Needless to say they were slightly disappointed. Never at a loss for tricks, Moses summoned God, who told them to go through the center of the sea. Yea, right? Yet as strange as that may have sounded at the time the people enter the “water” on dry ground! I know, it doesn’t make sense, but that is what happened, read it for yourself if you don’t believe me.  (Exodus 14)

Did they see the footprints of God? No! Did they doubt who parted the water? Did they question who dried up the dirt? Well, let me ask you, could you have done it? Neither could they! They knew that God was being God….again!

Has He ever been God in our life? Can you explain it? Did you see His footprints? But if you submit yourself to God and allow God to do His work in your life, make no mistake about it, you will clearly know He is God and there is no other!

Read footprints again. You probably have it on a coffee mug somewhere. Remember the times that He took you through the waters. Thank Him for carrying you all the way!

He is a mighty God!

Susan Boyle ends the Britain’s Got Talent Show with a smashing performance! She’s a star! What a testimony to us all she has been.

When communicating with children there is an old management axiom of communication that works well with children also. If you want your children to respond well to your instructions for them, try these steps.

Make sure your communication is:

Clear

• Make sure children understand what you are trying to say. Children are not capable of comprehension at an adult level.
• Speak their language. Children don’t always understand clichés and innuendoes.
• Say what you mean.  Don’t make them guess at your meaning.  This may work with your spouse (NOT!), but it will not work with children.

Concise

• Don’t nag children.  It’s tempting, but it’s not successful.
• Don’t threaten unless you will follow through with the threat. Make sure children understand what you want them to do and then give consequences when they don’t comply.
• Use short phrases and sentences.  Remember, they have short attention spans.

Consistent

• Keep the same values and expectations over time and talk with your children often.
• Follow through with commitments, even when they challenge your authority or throw a tantrum.
• Have a vision for parenting (where you want to lead them) so you can consistently lead them there.  Children are more likely to follow if they sense you have direction.

Keep in mind that children learn best by example, so don’t be a “Do as I say, not as I do” parent.  The life you live in front of them will be the loudest communication you offer them.

Have you ever wanted a spoiled child? It is easy.

Here’s a 10-step quick formula guaranteed to produce results:

• Give children everything they want.
• Never tell them no.
• Fight with your spouse over discipline.
• Put children first, even over your spouse.
• Strive to make every moment “the greatest moment of their life”.
• Teach them they are the center of the universe.
• Take their side every time over the teacher.
• Make excuses for them.
• Ignore their “minor” discipline problems.
• Let them talk to you however they want.

Try that for 30 days and I guarantee you a spoiled child or your money back.

Any more suggestions? 

Regardless of your politics you’ve got to love that the president knows a good burger and that he went out to get lunch for the rest of the staff. If you have ever had a hamburger and fries from Five Guys you know it’s not health food, but it is awesome. I personally am impressed with this kind of leadership. Real leaders eat big burgers!  (I don’t have statistical information to back that claim up, but it’s in my gut!)  Check out the Associated Press picture gallery and article HERE.

By the way, the article says Michelle Obama has often slipped out to partake as well.

Have you ever had a Five Guys meal? Maybe the president will fix you up.

I don’t know how to describe what’s happening right now at Grace Community Church, short of the Spirit of God works in the hearts of people.  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since I know God is more interested in people in our community than I am or any of our staff is concerned…and we love our community, but it is an exciting time to be at Grace.

In 3 and half years we have watched God bring people to the church through their neighbors, friends and families.  We have witnessed double-digit growth every year.  After a church reaches the size ours is now growth normally begins to slow to a smaller rate, but this year we have had yet another growth spurt.  Most Sundays this year have been 30% in attendance or more over last year.  (I wish our budget were doing likewise, because we might be able to staff appropriately or build a building soon, but that will come in time.)  Not only are more people attending but also God is showing up in people’s lives in incredible ways!

Another phenomenon is that God is bringing people with influence over a circle of friends or family. As these people get excited they start to bring the people within their circle.  If this trend continues we can expect even greater things in the months to come!  I’m pumped for God!  (I’m nervous for us as a staff, because I think we quit being able to figure out what God is doing or to manage growth a couple years ago! We will need more than ever to rely on Christ’s strength.)

I’m curious from other pastors, is your church experiencing the same thing right now?  Can you explain what is happening?

Grace people, what do you think God is doing?  Do you sense it like I do?

I have written all week about team idleness. Check out more of the posts on the home page of this blog.  I thought it was equally important to share some thoughts about what makes up a healthy team. Obviously that is our goal. Here are some quick elements of healthy teams:

Agreed upon mission: everyone knows where the organization wants to go and what a win looks like.

Right people: The people on the team are the correct fit for the role they have been assigned and have the proper training to complete their assignment.

Ample resources: Regardless of the awesomeness of a team, if the team lacks adequate resources it will never achieve its full potential. (Take it from a former small business owner…no matter how good your employees are cash is king!)

Consistent pace: Healthy teams can’t move too fast or they burnout. If they move to slow they stagnate. There will always be highs and lows with any team, but healthy teams find the right balance for the team and find ways to continue to grow.

Accountability: Teams fail when no one holds the members accountable for success. There are very few people who can continue to function well without a structure in place to insure consistent progress.

Healthy teams reach their full potential and guard against team idleness. Here’s my challenge for you and I to build healthy teams.

What suggestions do you have for building healthy teams?

What an experience today!  Nate, our 17-year-old son (soon to be 18), had a minor traffic ticket for failure to yield to a yellow light and had to appear in juvenile court.  We went to court and paid the ticket several months ago. I posted a blog about the first experience. Read it HERE. Today we had to reappear to prove he had been to traffic school.  After 3 hours of waiting (attorneys get to go first), they saw our case, which took no more than 2 minutes, and we were on our way.

As frustrated as I was at waiting (I kept thinking my time is just as valuable as those attorneys), I am still processing whether God had us there for so long for more reasons than just to teach me patience.  While we waited we were able to see a side of culture and life than Nate and I seldom see.  Honestly we see more of the good stories of parenting than we do the bad ones.  My heart has not been able to release the pain and sorrow we saw today in juvenile court.

Here’s a small recap:

• Three children taken from their parents and sent to a detention center…one in handcuffs.
• One 16-year-old boy had been living at home by himself while his dad traveled.  He was sent to live in state custody…starting tonight!
• One mother pleading with the court for relief from the enormous court costs her child is costing her.
• One family ordered to pay thousands of dollars in restitution for an accident the teenage son had just after their insurance was canceled.
• Several sets of grandparents raising grandchildren out of control.
• Teenagers making bombs.
• Teenagers doing drugs.
• Teenagers involved in burglary.
• One child in court for having brass knuckles at school.
• One parent who said she could no longer accept responsibility for her child.
• Teenagers who back-talked the judge and their parents in court.  (Imagine what these kids do in the classroom.)
• Parents who back-talked the judge.  (Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.)

I must say the judge did an admirable job of counseling these teens and was firm, but fair.  I wouldn’t want her job everyday.  I have joked with my son about him being my juvenile delinquent, but I was reminded today how blessed I am with two very good boys and how vitally important the role of the parent is today.  I was also reminded how desperately we need to train parents to raise children who respect authority and know the difference in right and wrong.  I was finally reminded that there are good parents in the system who have out of control children through no fault of their own.  All of it though broke my heart.

Has there ever been a time that society needs the church more than today?  Does this kind of thing upset you as much as it has me?  What can be done about it?

Please pray for our youth today.

My brother sent this to me.  Somehow he thought it was funny.  Everyone wants to make fun of Twitter these days.  Well at least I know where he gets his humor these days.

J/K.  Love my brother.  I wish I was half as nice a guy as he is….most of the time.