GROWTH IS NOT AUTOMATIC

So many of us think that because we are alive, growth is automatic.  Yes, we grow physically automatically – or at least it seems that way to us.  We’re born as babies, and because our parents feed us and nurture us, our bodies do seem to grow automatically.  We get larger, taller, and heavier as life goes on, one birthday at a time.  We learn to walk and talk, mostly by trial and error.  Then we’re off to school to learn even more about what life is all about.  We go through the processes of time, and one day we ‘graduate’ – first with a diploma, then maybe with a degree. Then what?

I came across a statistic recently that blew my mind:

            One-third of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives. 42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college. 80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year. 70 percent of U.S. Adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years  

           [http://mentalfloss.com/article/27590/who-reads-books]

           

I think we assume that because we go to work everyday – at whatever job you have – that you are learning and growing because you “show up”.  Unfortunately, that just does NOT mean you are growing intellectually, socially, spiritually, etc.

If you want to truly grow in your family life, your business acumen, your spiritual walk with God, and your leadership abilities, then it will require a deliberate, intentional decision and action to make this happen.  Growth is NOT automatic!

John Maxwell writes in his New York Times Bestselling book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, “Growth doesn’t just happen.”  He calls it the “Law of Intentionality”. He quotes Jim Rohn who says, “You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.”  In other words, you have to make a decision to grow – you have to be determined to grow – and you have to take action in order to grow.

Are you growing?  Or, are you stuck, using and believing what you’ve always believed? Are you doing things the way you’ve always done them?  You do know that one definition of “insanity” is “doing the same things over and over, and expecting different results”?

What do you want out of life this year?  What results are you expecting this year?  Then, whatever your goals, they must begin with growth.  Do you need some help in growing yourself this year? Then let me come alongside you in your growth journey. Let’s grow together.

Don Railey's Leadership Web Page

YOU'RE THE LID

Some 17 years ago, my mentor and friend, John Maxwell published a multi-million dollar best seller book, 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Over and over again, John defines leadership as ‘influence.’  His famous statement was and is, “everything rises and falls on leadership”.  In my journey, I have discovered these laws working in my vocation and calling – the ministry.  For the past forty plus years, I have lived out these laws – for better or worse. 

The first law he writes about is called “The Law of the Lid.”  John clearly states, “Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness.”  What I have seen in every organization that I have led or have been a part of, the top leader sets the bar, and the organization follows.  In other words, the organization cannot exceed the abilities of the top leader – he or she IS the Lid.  I’ve seen so many churches or non-profit organizations being frustrated with their level of growth.  The answer which we don’t always like to hear, is that the leader is the one who moves the bar higher, ONLY as they improve their own leadership abilities. 

John writes, “The higher you want to climb, the more you need leadership. The greater the impact you want to make, the greater your influence needs to be.”

Are you frustrated as a leader that others are not following as you like? Are you expecting results that just are not happening in your church, organization, or civic group? What kind of leader are you?  How well do you understand the power of your influence in your organization?  Would you like to go to the ‘next level?’

Whether I like it or not, I, as a leader, AM the Lid of my group.  They will not go beyond the level of my leadership.   I am determined to raise the bar – to lift the lid! That means I am on a journey of leadership growth.  

Want to join me?  Need some help?  I would be honored to come alongside you and let’s journey together toward excellence. Contact me and let’s take the journey together this year. (click the link below)

Don Railey's Leadership Web Page

Affirming

By definition the word "Affirm" means:
: to say that something is true in a confident way

: to show a strong belief in or dedication to (something, such as an important idea)



We hear this word used a lot today in society, concerning social interactions - and lately it is being used to describe churches.  We are all aware of the term "political correctness" --- I still struggle to define this term --- it's really not about "political" at all -- unless the government is trying to dictate what is correct   [I think sometimes this is exactly what it means].

This "affirmation" is being presented as a "badge" of acceptance, and is usually used by the minority or people who consider themselves "down-trodden".

The poor want to be affirmed.  The minority races want to be affirmed.  The "gay" community wants to be affirmed.  The people who are here in America without citizenship want to be affirmed (I really don't like the term "illegal aliens" -- they are not aliens, they are people).  

Churches are now putting themselves forward as being "affirming".  What does that mean??  We used to see huge banners and signs on church building stating "Everyone Welcome"!  But, usually that meant, "everyone who looks like us, is welcome."   Martin Luther King Jr. is credited with saying that "Sunday morning is the most segregated day of the week".  

Today churches are wanting to be open to ALL people -- and that is often a challenge.  I wonder if in our effort to reach people, are we compromising what we stand for?

If the definition of "Affirm" is really to "say something is really true in a confident manner" - or "to show a strong belief in or dedication to something" -- then we cannot compromise our beliefs and our doctrine on the altar of "correctness".

If your church says they are "affirming" and what it means is... everyone is welcome to come and you are not required to change, because we accept you as you are, no matter what --- I have a problem with that.  

Yes the church is that "hospital" for sick people -- everyone is welcome at the cross -- but NO ONE leaves the cross unchanged!  I love the statement I heard from Pastor Rod Parsley years ago -- "God loves you too much, to leave you the way He found you!" - That's the Gospel (Good News)!

Come as you are -- leave a different person!  We are seeing too many churches downplaying the truth of the Bible to the extent that no body is changing anything!  Frankly, if my trip to church doesn't change me -- it wasn't worth the trip!

Am I calling for condemnation?   A thousand times NO! 
Am I calling for compassion? YES  
Am I calling for the truth?  YES -- the truth spoken and demonstrated by LOVE!

I affirm you as a person!
I affirm you as a person for whom Christ died on the cross to save!
I affirm you as a human who is made in the image of God!
I affirm that we are all sinners in need of a Savior!
I affirm that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God - the only Savior of mankind!
I affirm that God is in the process of changing each of us, by His grace and mercy!
I affirm that as I allow the Holy Spirit to work in me - I am changing - and you will too!

Now that is affirmation!  

That IS the business of the church -- not to please everyone - not to judge anyone - but to point everyone to the Cross, where change happens!

Towel & Basin Challenge

According to Bill Saporito in Time Magazine (September 1, 2014), "Americans give more than $300 Billion annually to charitable causes.  We're a generous lot.  Then again, there are a lot of hands out.  More than a million charitable organizations are asking for those dollars, and many of these organization are inefficient, even if they are well-meaning."

Then comes the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness and money for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - a fatal disease that attacks the nervous system).  From July 29 through August 20 of this year, the ALS Association has raised more than $31 million to fund research --- more than all they raised in 2012.

People go on social media --- dunk themselves with ice water -- make a  $10 donation - and challenge their friends to do the same in 24 hours.  It's like this phenomenon has taken over social media --- ordinary folks to famous folks are getting involved --- even former President George Bush has done it.

As I have watched person after person getting wet --- I am reminded of the greatest challenge ever given in all of history -- I call it the Towel & Basin Challenge.

Jesus Christ, just before He went to the Cross for the sins of this world, met with his disciples in a room --- he picked up a basin of water, and a towel -- and he knelt down and started washing the feet of these men.  He then said to them --- do this to each other.

What did Jesus mean?  Was He instituting some sacrament in the Church?  There are some who believe so -- but I think Jesus was simply telling these disciples, these followers of Jesus to serve one another -- to be willing to serve others.

In a sense the folks dunking themselves with ice water are doing so to raise awareness and funds for research of a dreaded disease, in hopes that one day ALS can be conquered.  There are so many needs -- so many causes -- so many diseases needing money for research -- so many people in need!

Why not turn out attention to someone nearby in need -- to some family in your community in need - then remember the basin and towel -- do something to serve them!

Take them a meal -- buy then lunch -- mow their lawn -- help watch their children so that the single Mom can have a few minutes to herself, to go to the store -- sit and talk with that elderly person -- visit with them -- there is something YOU can do.

If you want to dunk the ice bucket -- go for it!

What would happen is 400 million Americans each reached out and accepted the

Towel & Basin Challenge to do something today for someone in need nearby?

Do you think we could start a revolution of service?

I challenge you!

ISIS -Islamic State in Iraq and Syria

It's hard to imagine such cruelty -- such barbaric acts -- yet we are witnessing war crimes happening daily in the Iraq and in surrounding Syria.  Once again, the Middle East is a cauldron of trouble, distress, and distrust.  They called themselves I.S.I.S. -- Islamic State in Iraq & Syria --  This renegade, yet quite organized, group of terrorist are literally "taking the world by storm".  They had slaughtered Christians and anyone who is not radical Muslim throughout Syria and Iraq -- burned down churches -- chased people into oblivion -- forcing them to hide out in caves and mountainous areas of the Kurds.  Our President ordered air strikes against them to slow them down -- ordered humanitarian supplies to be air-dropped in the mountains for the people who have fled for their lives - so that they will not starve.

Just recently we have read reports that perhaps some of Saddam Hussein's "weapons of mass destruction" may have been found by ISIS in the underground hideouts.  What the free world could not find before -- perhaps now, the terrorist have found some those weapons.  We hear reports that many weapons and equipment which the USA left behind in Iraq, may now be in the hands of ISIS --  all this makes you want to say, "God help us!"

Take a look at the map - and see how they are advancing all across the region.

While Israel is dealing with Hamas (another puppet terrorist group, sponsored by Iran), the region is boiling with violence.  By the way, who do you think is sponsoring this ISIS group --- of course, Iran and Syria -- these folks are sworn enemies of the Great Satan (America) and Little Satan (Israel).

By the way, don't forget that while the world's attention (through the media) is on Israel and Hamas, and now ISIS and Iraq --- IRAN continues their march toward developing a nuclear weapon(s).  Sounds like a bad Hollywood movie --- bad in the sense that it is a horror flick!

Remember I wrote back in April about the Four Blood Moons --- and the results would be something earth shaking in the Middle East -- in the next two years -- well .......  can't you see the signs ??  ... can't you hear the sounds ??

Pray for the people of this area -- especially the peace-loving people -- the Christian people!

Pray for the Church of Jesus Christ  (the real Body of Christ)  - that WE will awaken to the reality that "time is short" --- I'm not a doomsday preacher!  But - folks it's time to finish the task.

You ask, what?  I'm glad you asked!  The TASK is to "Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God"  -- that has nothing to do with religion - it has to do with Kingdom -- it has to do with Jesus Christ being LORD -- RELATIONSHIP -- it has to do with people being at peace with God!

Pray for West Africa

The attention of the world recently turned toward Emory University Hospital, as two American missionaries were flown to Atlanta to received treatment for the deadly Ebola virus, which they contracted while serving in West Africa.  Our prayers are going out for them and their families.  We hear of good progress being made in their treatments.

The fact that they were brought back to America from the area of Africa where the spread of Ebola is happening so rapidly that the World Health Organization called emergency meetings to talk about what to do, has sparked quite a bit of controversy.  Some have said that these two should have never been brought back to America -- why?  We are in panic over such an outbreak of such a disease!  We see images on the TV which reminds us something Hollywood would place on a horror movie.

Fear strikes where the unknown lives!  This is exactly where our FAITH intersects with the unknown, and we must choose to trust God or panic!  I personally have traveled to Sierra Leone and Liberia in ministry over the years.  In the past four years, I have traveled five times to Kenya.  The possibilities of disease are there -- the opportunities to get infected abound --- do I fear?  NO

Why?  I trust God!  Is that foolish -- I think not!  Am I careful and wise?  I think so!  Do I drink the tap water -- never!  The point is --- when your life is dedicated and given to God, you trust the Creator and Master to watch over you.....and HE does every time!

So, as you watch the TV news -- please pray!  Pray for the hundreds of infected people in the countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea, that won't be flown to Emory to be treated.  Pray for the doctors and scientist worldwide that a "cure" or "vaccine" for Ebola will be found soon.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will comfort those who mourn the loss of their loved ones, and that the power of God's presence will sweep over that region of the world.  I know a lot of great Christian people in that part of the continent of Africa - pray God protect them, preserve them, and use them to minister God's love to the sick and dying.

We can pray!  I challenge you to join me in prayer for West Africa today!

ALL EYES ON ISRAEL

I wrote back in April about the coming Four Blood Moons --- and the earth-changing events that will be coming in the next year.  God is sending planet Earth a message -- HE will have the last say in everything!

The Four Blood Moons ALL relate to the nation of Israel, and God's people, the Jews.

It will affect the whole world, but the "apple of God's eye" and the attention of God's end-time plans relate to His people.

Oft times, we in America think that the whole world evolves around US.  We think we are God's favorites.  Yes, God has blessed America over our 238 years of existence as a nation. The reason we are blessed is that we have been the "friend" to Israel.  God made a promise to the founding "father" of Israel, Abraham -"I will bless those who bless you --- and curse those who curse you..."

As we move forward this year --- watch the news from Israel.  Something "earth-changing" is about to happen, and it involves Israel.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!  Support this tiny nation, which is surrounded by so many enemies, whose stated purpose is to eradicate them from off the face of the earth.

Hitler tried to destroy the Jews, and he failed!  Every enemy who tries will fail.

The final war of civilization will be fought over Israel.  God will have the last word!

Maranatha!