Do we complain about, or pray for, our bosses and those in leadership?

I don’t expect this to be the most popular of my blogs, but I don’t mind because it’s a very important topic that most people in the work force fail to realize….praying for those who lead us.

Yesterday as I left the workplace, I saw my boss poised over just one of the many problems that he faced that day. Earlier I had watched his wife, who also runs the company, running around trying to settle personnel problems and accounting issues. Yet both of them had the added burden of trying to keep the employees motivated and trying not to look stressed. While they pulled this feat off well, I couldn’t help to think about all they go through.

Today is Friday and throughout the world, employees everywhere are elated because of the upcoming weekend. But the problem that business owners and others in charge have, is that most of them never quit working. They have a lot of responsibility that goes home with them. It doesn’t stay at the office because it’s 5 O’clock. They have invested everything they have in it. Their livelihood depends on the success of their business. So maybe we as employees can help them out. How? By praying for peace and success in the business that we are employed by. By becoming better employees and allowing Jesus to shine though us by having an exemplary work ethic. By not getting mad if they initiate a policy that we think is unfair. Policies are not always easy to institute because the person doing the enforcement will become very unpopular. Let’s try to walk a step in their shoes. And this includes our political leaders as well.

I am blessed to have two Christian bosses who are wonderful people. If you’re not, and am less than thrilled to be working for them, don’t be angry and hate, pray for them. Maybe that prayer will change their lives and business around. Believe me, they are stressed, and they need prayers for peace just like anyone else. Having said all of this I have posted a prayer below and ask that you pray this for your bosses before and during work today or whenever (since this blog is read around the world). If you can’t think of a prayer consider the one below, or just simply say a brief one. Our leaders need it.

 

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

 

Dear God, our Creator,

We come to You today praying for our boss, our supervisors and for those in authority over us in the workplace.

We begin by requesting that you will give our boss and supervisors your wisdom, guidance and the ability to lead well.  Help them to seek out and listen to sound advice and to decide how to take action in timely and efficient ways that are good for the business and good for the customers and clients who are served.  Here are some specific special requests I now make for my boss…

We pray for the family life of our boss and supervisors that they will be able to balance work and home life in healthy ways.  We pray for their spiritual life that they might come into a stronger faith in You.  We pray for their social life that they might partner with and support worthy causes in our community as You prosper them in business.  Here are some specific prayers I offer for my boss…

We intercede for them about the things only you can provide.  We pray for their physical health that it might remain strong.  We ask that they will be able to maintain a healthy physical and moral lifestyle.   We pray for Your forgiveness and mercy in any ways they have erred.  We pray for Your blessings upon them as You open new doors of opportunity before them. We stand against any emotional or spiritual attacks they might be facing and we plead the blood of Christ over them in their times of stress and crisis.  We pray that you will increase their ability to bear the responsibility of running a business.  Give them grace and fairness in dealing with employees.  Grant them a spirit of inclusiveness, respectfulness, teamwork, and self control.   Lead them not into the temptation of seeking bottom line profits through questionable or unethical means.  And deliver them from the evils of ruthless competitors.  Here are some specific needs my boss has today…

We conclude our prayer by offering out thanksgiving for our boss and supervisors.  Thank you for their ability to handle daily problems, for their experience and leadership, for their vision and dedication.  Thank you for the jobs they have provided for us and for the income these jobs provide.  May we learn how to express our gratitude to them for their guidance and mentoring.  Here are some specific ways I am thankful for my boss…

Amen.

Lessons on getting along from Geese.

“Look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.” –Proverbs 6:6, MESSAGE

We can learn many lessons from nature! When you see geese heading south for the winter, notice their V formation. Scientists have discovered that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following it. By flying in formation, the flock has a 70 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. We can learn some useful truths about leadership and teamwork from the geese.

Get to your destination with less effort.

People who share a common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they travel on the thrust of one another. Teamwork should not be forced. It should flow easily because everyone is committed to traveling in the same direction.

Stay on course.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone – and it quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it. If we start to stray from our course, the team will help us get back on track.

Share the front.

It’s tiring to be at the front, blazing the trail for everyone else. When the lead goose gets tired, it scoots back in formation and another goose takes the lead. With teamwork, you don’t have to be the one and only leader at all times. Share responsibility. It builds more confidence among the team.

Be careful with your horn.

We each have a “horn” and we need to be careful with how we honk from behind. The geese flying in the back of the formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Your words are one of the most powerful instruments in building people up or tearing them down. Use them well.

Protect one another.

When one goose falls out because of injury or whatever, two more leave the formation and stay with that goose until he rejoins the group. They act as protectors in the goose’s vulnerable and weakened state. We should stand by each other, protect one another and make new friends with those who are going in our direction.

 

This article was provided by our partner, Frank Damazio, Pastor of City Bible Church and the Chairman of Ministers Fellowship International, a fellowship of thousands of churches nationwide and around the world.

Did Jesus use wireless at the Sermon on the Mount?

Did Jesus use a modem

At the Sermon on the Mount?

Did He ever try a broadcast fax

To send His message out?

Did the disciples carry beepers

As they went about their route?

Did Jesus use a modem

At the Sermon on the Mount?

Did Paul use a Laptop

With lots of RAM and ROM?

Were his letters posted on a BBS

At Paul.Rome.Com?

Did the man from Macedonia

Send an E-Mail saying “Come?”

Did Paul use a Laptop

With lots of RAM and ROM?

Did Moses use a Joystick

at the Parting of the Sea?

And a Satellite Guidance Tracking System

To show him where to be?

Did he write the law on tablets

Or are they really on CD?

Did Moses use a joystick

At the parting of the Sea?

Did Jesus really die for us

One day upon a tree?

Or was it just a hologram

Or technical wizardry?

Can you download the Live Action Video Clip

To play on your PC?

Did Jesus really die for us

One day upon a tree?

Have the wonders of this modern age

Made you question what is true?

How a single man in a simple time

Could offer life anew?

How a sinless life, a cruel death

then a glorious life again

Could offer more to a desperate world

Than the inventions of man?

If in your life, the voice of God

Is sometimes hard to hear.

With other voices calling

His doesn’t touch your ear.

Then set aside your laptop and modem

And all your fancy gear.

And open your Bible, open your heart

And let your Father draw you near.

By: Ellis Bush

A must read story called the room.

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.”

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

By Joshua Harris. Orginally published in New Attitude Magazine. Copyright New Attitude, 1995. You have permission to reprint this in any form. We only ask that you include the appropriate copyright byline and do not alter the content.

The Auction. A must read story

The upstate NY man was rich in almost every way. His estate was worth millions. He owned houses, land, antiques and cattle. But though on the outside he had it all, he was very unhappy on the inside. His wife was growing old, and the couple was childless. He had always wanted a little boy to carry on the family legacy.

Miraculously, his wife became pregnant in her later years, and she gave birth to a little boy. The boy was severely handicapped, but the man loved him with his whole heart. When the boy was five, his mom died. The dad drew closer to his special son. At age 13, the boys’s birth defects cost him his life and the father died soon after from a broken heart.

The estate was auctioned before hundreds of bidders. The first item offered was a painting of the the boy. No one bid. They waited like vultures for the riches. Finally, the poor housemaid, who helped raise the boy, offered $5 for the picture and easily took the bid. To every-one’s shock, the auctioneer ripped a hand written will from the back of the picture. This is what it said: “To the person who thinks enough of my son to buy this painting, to this person I give my entire estate.”

The auction was over. The greedy crowd walked away in shock and dismay.

How many of us have sought after what we thought were true riches only to find out later that our Father was prepared to give us His entire estate if we had only sought after His Son alone?

The room….what’s in your file cabinet?

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

The story below, although fictional, reminds us of our failures, as well as the Lord’s love for us and His ability to love us past our faults. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

——————————————————————————-

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for one wall covered with small index card files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “People I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I have Betrayed.”

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my short life to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my own signature.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them! In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.

But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than 3 inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

– by Joshua Harris

Who’s right, and who’s wrong…it’s a matter of pride.

Only by pride cometh contention– Proverbs 13:10This powerful verse brings arguments to an agreeable conclusion, lost tempers to a cool self-examination, and finger pointing to a swift end.

Only by pride is there contention, or conflict. Arguments and fights do not come because one person is right and another is wrong. They only come by way of pride.

No matter how loudly we may shout our innocence, no matter how cleverly we may defend our cause, no matter how furiously we may justify our position — only by pride comes contention. Do you pretend that you are free of pride? Can you honestly argue that the problems in your life are all because of other people’s pride?

As C.S. Lewis said, “[Pride] is one vice of which no man in the world is free.” For this reason, every conflict in every home requires strenuous and honest self-examination, from husbands, wives, parents, and children alike.

What have you done to contribute to the current tension in our lives? What could you have said differently to avoid giving offense? How have you allowed your pride to escalate what could have been a productive discussion or honest disagreement? How have you disregarded God‘s role for you in your life?

If each member of society spends concerted time and sincere energy in searching his or her own heart and motive and conduct, the confession of pride will be universal within the home. No one is guiltless; everyone has pride.

With this confession, with this realization, however, comes great hope. There is a solution! As each one in the home humbles themselves before God, the strife in the home will slowly but surely dissipate. When pride is gone, the tension will be gone.

Let it then begin with you.

Just for today

Just for Today …
.. smile at a stranger
.. listen to someone’s heart
.. drop a coin where a child can find it
.. learn something new, then teach it to someone
.. tell someone you’re thinking of them
.. hug a loved one
.. don’t hold a grudge
.. don’t be afraid to say “I’m sorry”
.. look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are
.. don’t kill that spider in your house, he’s just lost so show him the way out
.. look beyond the face of a person into their heart
.. make a promise, and keep it
.. call someone, for no other reason than to just say “Hi”
.. show kindness to an animal
.. stand up for what you believe in
.. smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind
.. use all your senses to their fullest
.. cherish all your TODAYS