Cool leadership quotes!

For every problem there is a solution which is simple, direct, and wrong.

H. L. Mencken



Seek simplicity; then distrust it!

Alfred North Whitehead

Christian Meditation vs Eastern Meditation

Whenever the Christian idea of meditation is taken seriously, there are those who assume it is synonymous with the concept of meditation centered in Eastern religions. In reality, the two ideas stand worlds apart. Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind [of personality]; Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind [with God's Spirit and Word]. The two ideas are quite different.

Richard Foster "Celebration of Discipline"

I thought it was important to focus on a practical distinction between Christianity and Eastern Religions because of the influence Eastern religion has on America. Its influence is so prevalent it is easy to overlook its impact on our lives. Yoga, Pilate's, Kung fu Panda, The Force, etc. are words and concepts that have become part of American pop culture. As a result, many don't repel this way of thinking because they don't see a difference between it and the way Americans traditionally thought. Think about this! If the goal of Eastern religion is to become one with the universe, there is no point to setting goals in life, why? Because the logical conclusion of this belief is that your life is an illusion; therefore, you need to let go of the deception and embrace the reality... "Your life has no purpose." However, Christianity says the exact opposite. Christianity says every human is made in the image of God and as a result he or she needs to be filled with God's Spirit and Word so that they can begin living out their eternal purpose. Quite a distinction.

Reason vs Conscience

Few words have been used with greater latitude of meaning than of mysticism. It is here to be taken in a sense antithetical to speculation. Speculation is a process of thought; mysticism is matter of feeling [conscience/morals]. The one assumes [speculation] that the thinking faculty is that by which we attain the knowledge of truth. The other [mysticism], distrusting reason, teaches that the feelings alone are to be relied upon, at least in the sphere of religion. Although this method [mysticism] has been unduly pressed, and systems of theology have been constructed under its guidance, which are either entirely independent of the Scriptures, or in which the doctrines of the Bible have been modified and perverted, it is not to be denied that great authority is due to our moral nature in matters of religion... 'Charles Hodges'

You know it is interesting we seldom think about how we think about God. But, the truth is there are people out there who do. This passage is taken from Charles Hodges' Systematic Theology. He makes an interesting contrast between reason and morals; he goes on to argue that whenever the two come into conflict that morals is always stronger than reason! Idealistically I agree with him, and I would specify my comments by saying this is how a mature believer should live e.g. if a couple has an unexpected child reasons says have an abortion because they may not be able to afford the child, but a mature believer's conscience says only God has the right to take and to give life. Hodge has made a powerful point with a multitude of implications! But, my question is...is there a conflict between faith an reason? Remember His thoughts are higher than our thoughts?

...which we have all our lives been secretly longing...

When religion has said its last word, there is little that we need other than God Himself. The evil habit of seeking God-and effectively prevents us from finding God in full revelation. In the and lies our great woe. If we omit the and we shall soon find God, and in Him we shall find that for which we have all our lives been secretly longing.

A. W. Tozer "The Pursuit of God"

I have run into 'mature' Christians who are very unsatisfied with their walk. Now, I can honestly say I believe that in the wisdom of God he designed the 'feeling of not being satisfied' as a fail safe device intended to drive the believer closer to Himself. Some people might argue, "I am doing everything I am supposed to do, but I still am not satisfied." I know my response may sound simplistic, but the reality is Matt 6:33! The question is are you walking with God to know God, or are you walking with God simply to get from Him? Do you know what? God knows the difference and your motivation. Do you? Or, let me say it like this. Have you ever felt unsatisfied with any "meaningful" relationships you have ever had? Of course you have...but, that can be attributed to their lack of ability to meet all of your needs. And, that is understandable because as humans we are finite and we are flawed. Let me ask you this; do you have a meaningful relationship with God and are you still unsatisfied? Well, God can meet ALL of your needs; therefore, I think the fail safe device of not being satisfied you may feel is God's way of letting you know there is more of Him to be known. And, if knowing Him is your true motivation, you will always be satisfied for He is without end...And that my friend is a lot to know! By the way He already knows everything about you [how is that for a friend]?

Detroit newspapers to end daily home delivery

Detroit Free Press, Detroit News will deliver to homes only three days a week
Papers will still be available on newsstands; online offerings expanded
Free Press' daily circulation dipped almost 7 percent this year
Ink, paper, fuel costs mean cuts in reporting under current model, publisher says...http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/16/detroit.newspapers/index.html

Everyone saw this coming, but what are the long term implications of having little to no newspapers in circulation. How will the news be viewed? Will the news be considered as 'Trust worthy' as it now is? What will this mean for the telephone book, magazines, etc. It will be interesting to see...Consider this, at marvel.com and they are offering subscribers the opportunity to read "digital comics" online! (Will they gain in value like the comic books of old?" Ultimately I wonder if this means the elimination of the 'book?'

Dis-honor!

Congress and Bowl games!

I would love for someone to bring some attention to what I would call the “hypocrisy of college athletics”! It is interesting full scholarship athletes can not work during the academic school year like other students. (The fear is i.e. Tim Tebow will become a multimillionaire signing autographs at foot locker somewhere in Gainesville, and leave the University of Florida...Think about the possibilities of wealth generation for these athletes). Moreover, the implicit argument is that college athlete’s focus should be on winning games, making good grades, and developing a sense of gratitude for the University’s generous efforts to educate them (...giving alums...they drool!. It’s not like student athletes are going to college to make money. Boy these athletes today...all they think about is money...where is the loyalty of the athletes of yester year!!!!). On the other hand, while the full scholarship athletes are making ends meet through the support they receive from home (I hope their parents are not getting hit by this economic storm); the Universities, Coaches, and Sportscenter are making millions of dollars off these athletes performance! Now, as a capitalist I would not have a problem with this, but I do have a problem when the public paints the athlete in a bad light for desiring to prosper off of the game too. Since the NCAA does not want to force a playoff because colleges would loose money in a playoff system (Like college football is about...Football and rewarding the best team each year!) And, no one is smart enough to design a system that will include the bowl games and a playoff system (they need some college students to solve this problem) You might as well have Congress get involved; we need someone with integrity to straighten out this mess sike!! ;o) Oh and by the way the consensus is that TimTebow is not a pro-quarterback. I hope he has a good back up plan. Oh he can get a job he is educated! What is the unemployment rate right now?

Chuck Missler: Divine design in Scripture

Do you believe?

A person who truly believes the gospel believes in Christ, and he loves both Christ and those for whom Christ died and came to save. 

Freedom.......of Simplicity

Contemporary culture is plagued by the passion to possess. The unreasoned boast abounds that the good life is found in accumulation, that "more is better...Christian simplicity frees us from this modern mania.  It brings sanity to our compulsive extravagance, and peace to our frantic spirit...it allows us to see material things for what they are--goods to enhance life, not to oppress life.  People once again become more important than possessions" (www.renovare.org)

Richard Foster

A great story!

Wisdom of God from a little Boy!

Loss...



...gain.

It must go through the Church

There is a saying, "If you want to do anything in the black community you must go through the church." Black politicians have known this for years - Think Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton- anyway consider the implications of this truism. There are many of them we could refer to, however, the one I want to focus on is Leadership or the direction of the black community. At one time in African-American history the Pastor was the leader of the community because he was one of the few people in an African-American community who could read. By default whether he was educated or not as long as he could read he was 'ordained' a leader of the community; being able to read the pastor was one of the few people in the community who had the ability to deal with the rest of society. Additionally, the pastor had the spiritual influence over the entire community, hence, the origin of the saying -"If you want to do anything in the black community you must go through the church." However, the church still maintains its influence over the community, but the black pastor is no longer considered in the educated elite of the community. The question is...is the condition of our community the direct result of the leadership ability of the pastors within them? Anyhow, the point is, the Black pastor has represented and still represents the leadership lid or limit in the community, or as John Maxwell says he represents how high you can go! (JohnMaxwell.com) So the question is where is your community going? The answer has been what are the limits of your pastor!

Pornography and Jesus

Look at what mankind's heritage is!

Deuteronomy 4: 19 And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.

ant 

Fact Sheet: President Bush Has Improved How We Address Human Need Through Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

White House News

"The Administration has upheld its promise to treat community and faith-based organizations as trusted partners.... You've helped revolutionize the way government addresses the greatest challenges facing our society."

- President George W. Bush, 6/26/08

...as if there is a conflict between the love and holiness of God...

First, God, who is loving and gracious, does not desire the punishment and death of any of His creatures.  Yet in His holiness and righteousness He cannot tolerate their sin and evil.  Yhis does not mean there is a tension within God, as if there was a conflict between love and holiness, for God is wholly love and wholly righteouness.  Hence when He acts, He does so without conflict or compromise.  So is He also wholly true in His every action toward sinful man.  Second, man cannot change his sinful condition, cleanse his guilt, or overcome his bondgae.  He cannot truly keep God's commandments --or return to His presence.  Death, both temporal and eternal, is his tragic destiny. The human situation is his tragic destiny. The human situation is utterly hopeless uless god provides a way out.

"The Cross" 

J. Rodman Williams

The first African-American first family to move into the White House

By Susan Roesgen and Aaron Cooper
CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In January, President-elect Barack Obama and his family will make history, becoming the first African-American first family to move into the White House -- a house with a history of slavery. In fact, the legacy of American presidents owning slaves goes all the way back to George Washington.

A wood engraving of handcuffed and shackled slaves passing the U.S. Capitol, depicts a scene circa 1819.

Twelve American presidents owned slaves and eight of them, starting with Washington, owned slaves while they lived in the White House. Almost from the very start, slaves were a common sight in the executive mansion. A list of construction workers building the White House in 1795 includes five slaves - named Tom, Peter, Ben, Harry and Daniel -- all put to work as carpenters. Other slaves worked as masons in the government quarries, cutting the stone for early government buildings, including the White House and U.S. Capitol. According to records kept by the White House Historical Association, slaves often worked seven days a week -- even in the hot and humid Washington summers.

In 1800, John Adams was the first president to live in the White House, moving in before it was finished. Adams was a staunch opponent of slavery, and kept no slaves. Future presidents, however, didn't follow his lead. Thomas Jefferson, who succeeded Adams, wrote that slavery was an "assemblage of horrors" and yet he brought his slaves with him. Early presidents were expected to pay their household expenses themselves, and many who came from the so-called "slave states" simply brought their slaves with them.

Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant all owned slaves but not during their time in office. James Madison, Jefferson's successor, held slaves all of his life including while he was in office. During the war of 1812 Madison's slaves helped remove material from the White House shortly before the British burned the building. Michelle Obama uncovers slaves in her family

In 1865 one of Madison's former slaves, Paul Jennings, wrote the first White House memoir: "A Colored Man's Reminiscences of Life in the White House." In the book, Jennings called Madison "one of the best men that ever lived" and said Madison "never would strike a slave, although he had over one hundred; neither would he allow an overseer to do it."

There were other presidents who treated their slaves less kindly.

James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor all owned slaves while they were in office. The last of these, President Taylor, said owning slaves was a Constitutional right and he said slave-owners like himself would "appeal to the sword if necessary" to keep them. The Civil War, of course, put that opinion to the test.

Now, the Obamas are moving into the White House.

"The apple cart has been turned over here when you have the Obamas -- the first African-American couple -- now actually management and you are having in some cases white Americans serving them," says presidential historian Doug Brinkley.

Michelle Obama learned this year that one of her great-great grandfathers was a slave who worked on a rice plantation in South Carolina. She says finding that part of her past uncovered both shame and pride and what she calls the tangled history of this country.

For many, the historic election on November 4 marked a new beginning.

Though Michelle Obama's ancestors had to come through the ordeal of slavery, "Her children are sleeping in the room of presidents," said Brinkley. "It's a very great and hopeful sign."

How Unbelief and Apathy Destroys a Soceity

America and its exchange rate!

Dr. Walker, what was your reasoning for why America would never set an exchange rate? And, can we use that as leverage over the rest of the world to get ourselves out of a hole economically? And, you were right this summer when you said the economy would take a serious nose dive! 

The idea is very simple.

If you have two countries trading with one another, you have one exchange rate between them.

If you have three countries, you have two exchange rates.

There is always one less exchange rate than the number of countries engaged in trade.

This means there must always be one country that accepts the exchange rates set by others. 

Today (and in the past) the United States has accepted the exchange rate to the dollar set by all its trading partners, i.e., it accepted the role of the so-called n-country, the one that does not set its exchange rate.

It does this to avoid the inevitable fights that would occur if the U.S. were to impose an exchange rate on other countries.  Besides, it puts the burden for maintaining the exchange rate on the other countries.  In the past, it has been so big (at the end of WWII it accounted for almost 40 per cent of gross world product) it felt, no doubt correctly, that other countries would try and balance their trade, so there would be no reason for great trade imbalances.  In any event, any trade imbalance with the U.S., given its size, would be small.

 Now, however, the U.S. is only about 20 to 25 per cent of gross world product and some countries (notably China) has insisted on having a large trade surplus, which translated into a large American deficit.  Now we are not so agreeable to the idea that others can do what they want with the exchange rate.  But were we to insist on imposing a different exchange rate, we would be in a big fight with the Chinese and others.  Also, many in the U.S. have benefited from the Chinese surplus (think Wall Street) and do not want our exchange rate to change.  Finally, we now live in a world of floating exchange rates (better: managed exchange rates), so the setting of exchange rates has become less of a policy question.  Hence, our policy position has been ambiguous:  At times, we would like a lower exchange rate to help our exports and limit imports.  At other times, the reverse.

 I don't think it's a good idea for the U.S. to set an exchange rate with a foreign currency.  We do it with one currency; we will have to do it with many.  It isn't worth the headaches.  Better is to say to the Chinese (or any other country where we have a large trade deficit), you can set it where you want but if the deficit gets too big we will implement capital controls against you.  Not current account controls; capital account controls. 

 A better set of exchange rates would be helpful to the U.S.  I would threaten the use of capital controls but I suspect the deficits will be coming down anyway.

 Right now, we are in trouble and the world is in worse trouble.  Common sense says to you that the outsized imbalances -- budget as well as trade -- have contributed to our troubles and those of the rest of the world.   Once we have recovered from the present mess, in several years, the entire matter can be re-considered.  And it will be in the context of the ongoing discussions about reform of the international monetary system.

 On the mess were in, I fear it will get worse before it gets better.

How important are friends?

Samuel Johnson remarked, "If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone; a man sir, should keep his friendships in a constant repair." My question to Mr. Johnson is what if I am introverted?

A thoughful answer!

Quote from Francis A. Schaeffer

A dismissal or lessening of content (dogmatic beliefs) has often occurred in the new Pentecostalism (Liberal Pentecostalism). Instead of accepting a person on the basis of what he believes, which has always been the Christian way!

This is a great video!

What the Changing economy means to the north american church!

1.    Practically

What is happening? A power shift! This is a byproduct of Adam Smith’s “Invisible Hand”- what is happening has been foreseen. The same thing that is happening to America will happen to China in the future. That is a peripheral reason why China is investing so much of its money in oil refineries in Africa.  Because once China’s middle class drives up its wages, companies will look for new cheap labor to increase revenue…Africa! If Africa becomes the next China, then China will be in the best position to benefit from its growth.

Capitalism forces every industrialized country to become an efficient producer. Thus, every developed country will have to find out what it is good at producing and produce it efficiently. ;o) OR, if America doesn’t not want to feel the compassionless “Invisible Hand” it must develop into a socialist economy, which will result in major adjustments for Americans quality of living and rhetoric.

The question is…If what Dr. Samuel Chand (http://samchand.com/)said regarding people leaving a country in order to find good jobs is correct, are Americans willing to leave America to work in other countries? If not, they will have to have the skills to contribute to the new economy developing in America. Within our developing economy: America will produce large scale products that developing countries need – like nuclear reactors, power plants, civic infrastructure needs, Air Craft Carriers, etc. Moreover, America will continue to commodify intellectual capital – consulting firms, technology companies, conferences, and on line learning. And, American can not give up in the finical sector. We just can not let that sector run the country. Fortunately, education will be a big money maker in the future in America. As a result, it is going to get harder to get an accreditation. “Supply and Demand” The less accredited schools the more the schools can charge for their services.  I wonder how this will affect private schools in the future.

In Chapter 7: Power-Sharing in a Multipolar World there were some bright spots:

Demand for US Leadership Likely to Remain Strong, Capacities Will Shrink

Leadership Will Be Key

Thus in the future the North American church should focus our strategies around!

• Leadership
• Technology
• Becoming multilingual

2.    Spiritually

We all know the Church (especially the House Church in China) has been growing at a phenomenal rate in several of those countries. God is raising up people in those areas to preach the Gospel through those areas to as far as Israel. Also, China will be blessed for those brave and faithful Christians there!

As for the US. God is trying to get our attention as the church to come back to worshipping and enjoying Him and not forsaking Him for His gifts! I feel He is gently trying to get our attention now, but if we refuse to listen (as we did after 9/11 - that was a short lived repentance) the country and the church in this country will suffer great loss.

Thus in the future we should focus our strategies around!

• Evangelism
• Worshiping and obeying Jesus
• Personal relationship with Jesus, Discipleship, Presuppositional Apologetics
• Kingdom Building  

This doc is good to look at for long term strategic planning!

http://www.dni.gov/nic/PDF_2025/2025_Global_Trends_Final_Report.pdf

Something to think about!

What is going on!

Here is something I found out to be true often times we are trying to solve problems, and we have not done the due diligence to ask the right questions first to discover the intrensic nature of the problem we are trying to solve.