He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22 NIV

I am sure to many today is a Happy New Year Day, but to me, it’s Happy Birthday to my wife Cheryl day!

God was directing my path when Cheryl and I met. I was asking God to provide me with the right person for me in life and ministry. Although we dated almost 2 years, from the day I met Cheryl, I knew it was God’s will that we be together. God never skimps on His gifts and when God chose a wife for me, He knew exactly what He was doing.

Cheryl is very intelligent. She gets embarrassed, but I love to tell people that she was Valedictorian of her high school class. We worked together in our own business prior to ministry and I quickly learned she could usually figure things out so much quicker than I could. I was convinced at times that she purposefully waited to give the answer to keep from bruising my ego.

Cheryl is an incredible pastor’s wife. As a pastor of a large church, I know the degree of success I have had in my ministry would not be possible if it were not for how Cheryl completes me. She is diligent in her ministry to people within the church and helps me in my weaknesses. I have watched her mentor young ladies and develop lasting friendships with them, setting the example of Christ for them, encouraging them to grow in their faith. In addition, she is one of the key ingredients to a successful Sunday morning.  As an Introvert, I depend on Cheryl to take the lead in mingling. If you visit our church, you will likely meet Cheryl, and of course, you will love her.

Cheryl is the consummate wife and mother. She loves to love, and all she wants in return is love. She never tires of spending time with her family. She would honestly rather be with me than any of her friends, even though I am not always the most sensitive person. She doesn’t complain about the monumental task of caring for the three often messy, inconsiderate men in her life. She serves her family from her heart. She is very protective of the boys and me. Don’t mess with me if you don’t want to mess with Cheryl. Just saying…

And, I must admit, we probably do take all this for granted.

Thank you Cheryl for being a God-honoring wife! Today I honor you! Happy Birthday!

Feel free to add a kind word of your own to honor Cheryl on her special day.

 

I have always struggled to say that I make New Year’s resolutions.  If you are like me, when you put a lofty expectation in place and shortly in the year you have already failed, it only leads to disappointment.  That’s not a very encouraging system to me.

On the other hand, as much as resolutions can wear us down, I believe we should always try to do something better in the new year than in previous years. With that in mind, I need to spend time reviewing, thinking, and planning before or as the new year begins. (My friend Michael Hyatt has a great post on reviewing the year HERE.)

I think it is more than just terminology to say that I believe in setting goals and objectives at the beginning of every New Year. Resolutions are too binding for me, but goals and objectives tend to focus my attention, keep me from following tangents, and hopefully stretch me.

My goals for the New Year are:

Communication – I want to improve it with my staff, family and friends.

Leadership development – As a four year old church, we have a young, new staff. I see a large part of my job as helping them achieve their goals and objectives. In addition, I want to continue to help young leaders in our church and outside develop and grow.

Personal disciplines – The more disciplined I am, the more I can achieve. I am dreaming about two marathons this year. Not sure if that will happen yet, but the stretch will be good for me. When I am disciplined personally I find I am a better servant for God’s glory.

Now my objectives are to create plans and systems to meet these goals. I have been working on this for weeks and I am in the process now of implementing.

Do you make resolutions? If not, what is your method to try to improve each year?

Let me encourage you to spend a couple hours over the next few days dreaming some new goals and objectives for the coming year that can help make you more productive, more successful, and ultimately more satisfied with the progress of your life.

I once hated to fly Southwest Air…

I called it the “cattle call”…

I loved the energy of the company…the way they treat employees…their ability to remain profitable in a challenging market…

…but I hated flying them.  I always seemed to end up stuck in the middle seat behind two really big guys…

I would choose another airline whenever I could…

But then I learned their system….

Once I learned the system, and developed my own strategy for traveling within the Southwest system, I was able to check-in early online, get a good number in which to board the plane, and find a good seat….

Having a system helped me love Southwest…

Now I actually choose Southwest over other airlines anytime I can…

That story illustrates an important principle in life and leadership…

Sometimes that which you dread doing or hate the most, just needs a plan…a better system…

Develop or learn the system and it will make life easier and you’ll better enjoy a more successful ride…

What in your life needs a better system for the new year?

In my years of leading and managing, I have observed all types of work ethics.  As a student of leadership, I have read books and attended conferences on organizational development and workplace issues.  One frequent message I have heard in the last few years is the encouragement to work less and enjoy life more. I know the reason. There is an epidemic of over-achievers in our society neglecting family and failing to enjoy life because they are consumed with things of lesser importance.

While I agree with this advice for those that need it, I have to be honest about something.  Some people don’t need this advice.  Some people need the encouragement to work harder to achieve the goals and objectives they have for their life, but also to honor the commitments he or she has made to their employer.  I cannot tell you how many marriages I have counseled where one of the main problems was a lazy spouse, not to mention the Biblical truth that laziness is a sin.

The bottom line for me is that your personal work ethic should determine the style or degree of discipline you need in regards to how much you work.

There are two extremes of employees that I have observed.

The extremely low-productivity work ethic:

This type employee would often prefer not to be working at all.  They max out their sick days.  They leave work as soon as the clock ticks end of workday.  They stretch lunch breaks. People wired this way don’t need to hear a message on taking more time off from work. They have that “skill” fully developed.  That type “encouragement” may cause them to work even less than they are currently working.  It’s not that they are bad people they just have the opposite of a workaholic drive in them.  For them they may need to discipline themselves to work harder.

The extremely high-productivity work ethic:

This type employee loves to work.   They seldom take a sick day. They have to force themselves to take days off and when they do they are constantly checking their messages or calling back to the office.  They work late and almost have to be pushed out the door.  They don’t need a message on how employees need to work harder.  This type “encouragement” fuels their resentment towards other employees who don’t share their work ethic and causes them to justify his or her over indulgence with work. For them they need to discipline themselves to work less. (I fit in this category, by the way.)

In between these two extremes are various degrees leaning towards one extreme or the other.  Learning to strike the healthy balance that achieves goals and objectives and honors an employers time, while protecting family time and taking time to rest, should be the goal.

Which are you?  Be honest with yourself as we head into another year and discipline yourself accordingly.

I rearranged my office this weekend.  It wasn’t a whim.  Those that know me know I’m not wired very much for spur of the moment decisions.  This office makeover was definitely purposeful.

Here are a few of the reasons for changing my office:

1. I am expecting 2010 to be a huge year at Grace Community Church.  It may require sacrifice of me and others.  The office change is a visual picture of my willingness to embrace the changes to come.
2. One of my chief initiatives for the new year is to improve my communication with the staff.  The office change puts my desk against the wall, rather than in the middle of the room.  I have removed a barrier between me and the person I am meeting with at the time.  I will now have to turn my back to my computer and will be better at giving my full attention to others.
3. I get bored easily when things remain the same.  I needed a change to pump my enthusiasm.
4. I know in advance I will be working harder this year.  I wanted more pictures of my family in my office, so I don’t loose focus of what is most important in life.
5. I plan to hit the ground running in January, and there will be little time to rearrange furniture.

This may seem like a simple change to you, but to me it’s a significant example of the days ahead.

What do you need to change in order to achieve all the plans God has for you in 2010? This week is a great week to dream about changes you may need to make in the coming year.

(I spoke about the subject of change this Sunday, you can listen HERE.)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:1-2 ESV

One of my favorite words in the Bible is the word beloved. It doesn’t appear in every version, but I think it’s a correct word for a key principle God is trying to teach us about His kind of love.

Often one of the hardest things for a person to do is to accept unconditional love. Perhaps it’s because the world is so void of that kind of love. The world often displays a love that is contingent on the recipient’s behavior or form of repayment of the love. It is a give and take kind of love…a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” kind of trade-off for love. Sadly, many marriages share this kind of conditional love, where spouses agree to love each other as long as they are given equal or greater love in exchange.

That is not at all, however, the love of God the Bible teaches. The word beloved in the previous verse literally means “ beloved, esteemed, dear, favorite, worthy of love”. It’s a word indicating an action on the part of the one doing the loving. The God of the universe, the same God who paints a sunset, shapes a mountain and plans the waves at the beach, has chosen to love us, not because of who we are, but because of who He is. Our role in this is to BE-LOVED.

Are you struggling to accept that kind of unconditional love? Have the circumstances of life caused you to question God’s love? Will you do me a favor? Take some time today to read Job chapters 38-42. Job was experiencing more heartache than any person should ever experience and he was questioning his situation and ultimately God’s love for him at the time. In these chapters, God answers his dilemma. It’s a challenging and encouraging read.

You and I may never fully comprehend the love of God, but for today we can be encouraged that we have been called “beloved” and we can anticipate learning about and receiving more of His kind of love.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things, which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:18 KJV

It’s the day after Christmas. Are you still wondering what all the “fuss” was about?

I can imagine the “wonder” going on in Bethlehem shortly after the birth of Christ. There was great wonder in the naming of this baby. Jesus, which means “salvation of God”, was not something someone like Joseph and Mary typically would have named their son. Talk about high hopes for your children!

With the excitement going on in the town because of the census, it is probable that few took notice of Jesus’ birth. Therefore, when the shepherds go about joyfully, almost ecstatically, proclaiming the Good News, people most likely wondered “what baby?”… “I didn’t see a baby”. They were so busy with their own celebrations; they had missed the birth of a Savior!

What about you? As you clean up the torn packages from yesterday, and you pack away all the new gifts; as you travel back home or prepare to head back to work, what difference has Christmas made in your life? Have you thought about it? Did the fact that a Savior was born make a difference in your life this week/this year? Are you living a life that reflects that truth? Or…are you still wondering what all the excitement is about?

Many celebrated Christmas this year. How many really understood the why behind the celebration? The parties are over and the gifts are open, and many will be sad that the celebration is over, but the celebration alone will never completely fill a person’s heart. Only the true gift of Christmas, the one they named Jesus, can fill the void in a heart that often dwells at the end of a Christmas celebration.

After the dust settles from the hustle and rush of buying, wrapping, opening gifts, stuffing ourselves with holiday treats and enjoying the company of friends and family is over, perhaps you and I should pause and really reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.  A Savior has been born…He is Christ the Lord!  That Savior grew, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, rose again, and now intercedes between God and man on behalf of those who believe.  He wants to be your friend that sticks closer than a brother.  He wants those who are weary and heavy-burdened to come to Him.  He wants to bless our lives with true peace.

…And that part of the Christmas season…will last throughout the coming year…and throughout eternity!

A down home, Tennessee Merry Christmas from the Edmondson family…Ya’ll hear?

(I must admit I saw this first on Scott Hodge’s site. Thanks Scott)

 

Matthew 1:18-25 (Emphasis Mine)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to

Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband,

being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example , was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things,

behold , the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying , Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:

for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Now all this was done , that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Behold , a virgin shall be with child , and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is ,

God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

(Merry Christmas to all my readers!)

Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, 
that all the world should be taxed . 
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  
And all went to be taxed , every one into his own city.  
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, 
which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  
And so it was , that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered .  
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes , and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country 
shepherds abiding in the field , keeping watch over their flockby night.  
And, lo , the angel of the Lord came upon them, 
and the glory of the Lord shone roundabout them: and they were sore afraid. 
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, 
behold , I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  
And this shall be a sign unto you; 
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes , lying in a manger.  
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying ,  
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  
And it came to pass , as the angels were gone away from them into heaven , the shepherds said one to another, 
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass , which the Lord hath made known unto us. 
And they came with haste , and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  
But Mary kept all these things , and pondered them in her heart.  
And the shepherds returned , glorifying and praising God for all the things 
that they had heard and seen ,as it was told unto them.