Here are some items that caught my attention this week and caused me to think. 

Center for Creative Leadership has a great post called 5 Keys To Self Development.  It’s simple, easy-to-read and accurate. 

One of my mentors, Dennis Newkirk, wrote a sobering post on called The Currency of Christmas.  It is a reminder we all need to hear repeated often. 

My friend Matthew Paul Turner posted a find from YouTube that makes you wonder what some people do without brains. This one is about Santa Claus. Don’t let your kids see it! 

What if church was run like an airline?  With year-end giving on our mind, maybe this is an answer to consider.  Check it out on MMI’s post here.

Perry Noble scored another one with me this week.  I don’t like thinking of him puking, but I like the application he makes in the sacrifice involved in “getting to the next level”. 

Clarksville, where I live, is getting a mega-sized new industry.  Not only will this create thousands of jobs and make over a billion-dollar investment, but this industry has the potential to place Clarksville on the leading edge of the new “green economy”. Read about it here. 

I am excited about watching father and son coach together at the University of Tennessee next year.  I would love to work for one of my boys some day.  What an honor! 

What did you find interesting this week?

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28 NIV)

This is one of those posts that if I am not careful could come back to hurt me.  Have you ever met an angry mother trying to protect her child?  I am talking about that kind of hurt.  Let me just say to read this and “if the shoe fits wear it”. If it does not apply to you then I will see you next post.  Let me say though, that I do not approach this lightly, so please have an open heart and mind as you read. 

I want to address the issue of mothers letting go of their sons.  In my opinion, in the age of the strong mother and absentee father, the dilemma of the weak man has reached epidemic proportions.  Mothers are more protective than ever and sons are having a harder time leaving their mothers and leading in their homes.  Many wives stand in the way of their husbands building men and try to keep their “little boys” under their control and protection.  I often encounter men who cannot make decisions for themselves, have no real direction in life and are afraid of their future.  Many of these issues relate back to a mother who never allowed her son the opportunity to stop being her “little boy”. 

The goal of the mother should be to nurture a boy, provide for his care, love him unconditionally, and then release him to the world.  Men have an innate need to lead. They are born to protect, to fix things, and to provide strength.  This side of a man seldom realizes his potential under the continued control and oversight of a doting mother.  (Okay, I said the worst part.  Cast your stones now before you read the rest of this post.) 

Mothers, I know you love your sons.  You should.  I am glad you do.  I have a strong, loving mother.  I would not be who I am today without her strength, love and guidance. I still need her in my life.  The fact remains, however, that I have responsibilities that God has given me and I must stand up to them on my own. I must be able to make decisions for myself, learn from my mistakes, and at times have my heart broken so that I become the man God has called me to be.  Completing that means, I must be able to stand independent from my mother.  She cannot shelter me, control me or fix my problems for me.  The process of becoming a man begins early in life, but by the time a boy is an early teenager his mother needs to be in the practice of releasing him to God and the world. 

This is surely a tough task for any mom. Striking the delicate balance between love and control of their lives will not be easily managed, but I encourage mothers to work towards releasing their sons.  The men their sons become will be worth the sacrifice. 

Recently I received some great business advice from my mom.  Please understand that my mom is retired from over 40 years of work in the business world, but she is usually not the first person I would think of for business advice.  I mean, she is smart, no doubt about that, but she is my mom.  I go to Warren Buffett for business advice. I go to my mom when I cannot find my recipe for cornbread.  (She makes some killer cornbread by the way.) 

A friend of ours, however, has been concerned about losing his job. My mom told me what she has been telling him.  He is a salesperson for a company that is experiencing a considerable decline in sales.  He claims that if the production people could make it faster, he could sell more products. My mom told him to leave his comfortable desk and chair, show an interest in the production people, and, if necessary, learn to help make the product.  Her quote, “You need to make yourself indispensable to the company right now, because desperate times call for desperate measures.” 

You know, my mom is right.  Too many times when our organization is suffering we cast blame rather than rally the team.  We throw in the towel rather than work for a solution.  We give up rather than create energy around us.  It is easier to quit sometimes than to weather through the rough periods, but the greatest and sweetest victories come to those who stick it out through the hard times and make it to the other side.

Are you discovering tough times? Learn a lesson from my mom.  Desperate times call for desperate measures! 

I have a great life.  I have had years of struggles, which have greatly shaped the person I am today, but these days life is fairly calm and I hate to complain even when I am having a “bad” day.  In a church our size, there are always “sober reminders” to keep me grounded.  One would think I would become callous to disappointing news after hearing so much of it each week, but some things will always leave me speechless.  In those times, I learn more about the reality of life.  Other people’s struggles remind me how desperate each of us is for God’s mercy and grace and how incredibly blessed my life is right now.   

There are things that no matter how many times I hear them always take me by surprise.  Things like:   

• When I learn a wife is leaving her husband for another man, it reminds me that what we see in couples does not always represent the reality of what takes place in the privacy of their home. 

• When I hear that a young father received an unexpected stage 4 cancer diagnosis, it reminds me that life is fragile and family time has great value. 

• When I sign another military “notification in case of tragedy” form indicating that I have to bring “bad news” should something happen to the solider, it reminds me that others serve our country so that my family and I can be safe and worship freely. 

• When another teenage daughter becomes pregnant, it reminds me how much pressure is on our teens today and how desperately she needs our love and direction for life. 

• When a mother or father loses their job, it reminds me that their biggest concern this Christmas is not what to buy but how will they buy anything.

• When I find out the reason a couple has been married for years, but does not have children is infertility, I am reminded that there is a pain in a couple’s heart that I will never quite understand. 

• When I talk with a family who has lost a child to tragedy, it reminds me that some pain in life never completely goes away. 

At Christmastime, “sober reminders” always help me remember that Jesus came to those who are hurting, those down in heart, and those in need of a Savior.  

It occurred to me today from a Twitter I wrote that much of what I do seems unproductive to me at the time, but is probably the most productive part of my work.  I have work I am responsible for that only I can do, such as answer emails, fill out forms (which I hate doing) and write messages, but in order for the organization I lead to thrive, there are things which may seem “unproductive”, that I must spend time doing.   

Let me explain by sharing some “unproductive” things I have to do each day: 

Thinking:

Often new ideas hit me in the shower or driving in my car, but many times new ideas are only shaped and realized when I set aside quantity time to brainstorm. 

Reading:

It has always made me feel uncomfortable when someone who works for me finds me reading a magazine or a book, but I know the higher up in an organization a person goes the more important it is that he or she be exposed to ideas and thoughts outside the organization. 

Praying:

I cannot forget that my organization is a church. We are the body of Christ.  I must continually seek His favor and direction. 

Investing in others: 

Helping others on our team succeed in what they do helps the entire organization grow and improve.   I have to remember also, that I’m into Kingdom-building, not only church building, so investing in other pastors not on our team is a part of what I do.

Network:

Some of the greatest doors of opportunity as a church have opened to us because of networking.   (BTW, that makes Twittering valuable too!)

These may seem unproductive at the time; especially when I get back to my desk and face dozens of unanswered emails, but successful leadership demands that I spend time investing in intangible production. 

Sometimes sharing your faith with them is a matter of helping them understand their circumstances in light of God’s plans and desires for their life.  If you can connect the two points, a relationship with God makes much more sense. 
 
Recently I received this email from an Internet friend through my devotional ministry (http://www.mustardseedministry.com).   My friend knows how to share her faith, but the situation appears so desperate it has her in quandary of where to begin.  (I have changed the names and deleted a few details to protect identities, but the crux of the story is the same.)
  
Dear Ron,
I need some advice.  I have a friend who has a daughter who lives about 600 mi. away from her, but she is involved in drugs.  My friend (Joan) and her husband are in the process of adopting her three grandsons (all under the age of 8 year old) due to the daughter’s inability to care for them. Joan doesn’t have a relationship with the Lord.  I have a feeling that she has some tough feelings right now.  I really want to bring her to the Lord, but I’m at a loss for some reason right now.  She is in so much pain and she misses her daughter so much. I need ideas on how to share and communicate God’s love to Joan. Thanks so much. 
Patricia
  
Dear Patricia
It will take boldness on your part Patricia, but the fact that God has placed her on your heart so strongly is probably God’s invitation for you to share your faith with her, so I would encourage you to act on it, as scary as it might be. Scripture is clear that when we speak on His behalf He gives us words to say.
   
I would probably approach Joan in terms of a relationship. She loves her daughter in spite of the fact that she is addicted to drugs. She loves those three grandsons. Joan’s heart hurts for her daughter and she would like nothing more than a renewed relationship with her, but the drugs are in the way. They are “separated” 400 miles by distance, but even farther because of the impact. the drugs have on her life. It’s sad, which is why you are concerned for her. 
  
Now take Joan’s situation and put it into context of her relationship with God. God feels the same way about Joan. He loves her. He wants a relationship with her, but Joan’s sins have separated her from a relationship with God. If she will only believe in Christ’s saving grace she can have the relationship with God she needs; now more than ever.

 
God bless you as you introduce your friend to Christ.
Ron
  
If God stirs your heart concerning someone near you who is absent of a relationship with Him, be bold and willing to share your faith. Put it into terms of a relationship, then trust God to give you the right words to say. 

I completed my first marathon today, the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama.  I registered in September and began a training program that would help me get ready by mid December.  I kept on schedule through my 18-mile run, but then life got crazy and I was not able to run much the last four weeks before the race. I had considered not running, but decided I had worked too hard and so I pressed into it and finished.  The first question I get is “Would I do another one?”  The answer is yes, but I have learned a few things about marathons that I would do differently if I did another one. 

1.      If you have to spit every few feet, spit long and hard.  I hit my shirt a few times.

2.      Do not drink 2 cups of coffee and a triple-shot latte’ prior to the race.  It woke me up, but I had to stop at the first six porta-potties. 

3.      The Rocket City Marathon needs more porta-potties.  I waited at least 3 to 5 minutes each time I stopped.

4.      Girls take longer in porta-potties than boys do.

5.      Starting is easier than finishing.  The first four miles make you feel you could run forever.   Do not be deceived.  (Of course, that statement is indicative of a lot of life.)

6.      A little encouragement goes a long way.  One little boy yelling “Keep going” made the difference for me at one point.

7.      Learn to stretch.  I never have and it caused cramps towards the end of the race.  

8.      Cheryl is a great wife.  I would not want to do a marathon without her. 

9.      I get nervous the night before and slightly cranky. 

10.  Nothing beats the feeling of crossing the finish line and knowing the race is over.  At that point, who cares about their time? 

If you are looking for a flat course and fun marathon, consider the Huntsville Rocket City Marathon.    I should of course mention that I could not have made this race without God’s help. The last three miles I said “Thank you, God. Thank you, God” over and over again, because there were times I didn’t think I could complete it.  So, Thank you, God. 

Recently I twittered the questions:

1.      What do you want for Christmas?

2.      If you had to name something intangible, what would it be?

I got some great replies: 

@jessicanthony  For my mom’s cancer to be cured. But more importantly for her to believe that God cured her.

@robertwseymore safety for my believer friends in Afghanistan. 2 killed this past year

 @jerry_thomas  Even though they are beginning to leave home, I always pray for the happiness of my children.

@pastorjeremy  wisdom..is what i would ask for

@Vhutchisoncoach  Unconditional love and acceptance

@daveingland  more patience as an outpouring of my love for others…i’m not a very patient person by nature 

@jd0268  I am scared to ask for something intangible for myself, because God will put me through the opposite to get it! LOL! 

And one Direct Message from a young pastor.  (This one humbled me.)

this year for christmas, I would like several “meet with ron” cards where I can cash them in whenever i want.

What would your answer be?  If you could ask God for anything, but it had to be something intangible, what would you ask of Him for Christmas this year? 

(Feel free to follow me on Twitter here: http://www.twitter.com/ronedmondson) 

Here are some items that caught my attention this week and caused me to think. 

Ministry Marketing Coach is going to provide some ideas in coming weeks to promote the church in low cost and/or no costs.  You can read the concept in the post Buzzing the Great Commission and make a link to start following these posts.  I look forward to the ideas to come. 

Tim Sanders has a candid approach to leadership.  He has helped me personally think through some decisions I have had to make. He wrote a BLOG about why it is hard to tell that his church (a great church BTW) has a United Methodist affiliation.  For those of us who are part of a denomination but do not know whether to advertise that fact at times it is a great read. 

Michael Hyatt is a polished leader.  Even with the demands of an important job as CEO of Thomas Nelson, he is approachable, honest, and invests in others. I have learned a lot from him this year.  His approach to handling the news of the day is one I think more of us need to take. 

I have been following the developments of a new ministry that is launching. The vision is huge.  Bookmark this site and get ready for great impact on the church world in 2009.

If you want to hear some incredible stories of famous people, check out http://www.iamsecond.com This site is well done.

Perry Noble is a “tell the truth” kind of person.  I love his honesty. His series of posts this week titled Four Arguments You Just Can’t Win are dead on accurate!  Pastors read these! 

While negative news the economy is dominating our minds and wars and violence plague our world, there remains the promise of “Good News to All People”. 

Leading up to one of the more famous prophecies of Jesus’ birth are some verses that have equal impact for us today as we approach another Christmas celebration.  Consider Isaiah 7.  The Israelites had divided loyalties into two nations and were fighting among themselves while warring with other nations of the world.  They faced economic struggles and did not experience the prosperous “land of milk and honey” they had after Moses’ reign.  They were in constant turmoil. 

Read the words given to Isaiah “And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands…” (Isaiah 7:4 ESV) That verse is a great reminder to me that God is fully able to meet all my needs, handle my every concern, and calm my every fear. 

God then tells Isaiah that none of the enemies against Jerusalem would stand.  Then God shares this sobering reminder: “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” (Isaiah 7:9 ESV)  The Bible follows this with the familiar prophecy of Jesus in Isaiah 7:14, which says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” 

Let me ask you to consider your approach to Christmas this year. Are you afraid?  Are you in panic mode?  Do you fear the worst? 

Now let me ask a more poignant question.  Do you doubt the promise of God through Jesus?  When the angels appeared to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth, they repeated this prophecy.  This is what they had to say, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:10-11 ESV) 

Two thousand years after the angel’s proclamation, the birth of Jesus is still good news! In fact, it is the greatest news the world has ever known!  Are you allowing that truth to determine your Christmas spirit this year?

Fear not!