Three New Additions To My Desk

-
Image
Actually, it’s an ad-duck-tion. I missed the perfect opportunity to say, “and they’re in a row, too!” Silly goose. 

Daniel: Spiritual Vitality in a Secular Setting

-
Daniel is the model of a leader who preserved spiritual integrity within a hostile environment. Here are some principles for strengthening spiritual leadership while serving through unstable and unfavorable circumstances:

TAKE YOUR STAND: Daniel took God’s name on himself, being identified as a child of Israel (1:3). “Daniel purposed in his heart” (1:8) not to misrepresent God. He kept the 1st through 4th commandments forcibly! This is the foundation upon which the rest of his life was built. He knew what he stood for, his convictions.

KNOW YOUR “WHY”: Daniel’s “why” was his love for God. This defined his values. Under pressure, he was able to lean on his “why” and not defile himself. Daniel was among those “in whom there was no blemish . . . gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand” (Daniel 1:4) which indicates he had a solid “why” to think and act as he did--his purity got him noticed.

FIND YOUR PURPOSE: Only after Daniel and his friends had proven themselves with knowledge, skill and wisdom were they brought before the king, “and among them all none was found like Daniel . . .” (1:19) being “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in all his realm” (1:20). Daniel was considered a spiritual leader (2:16)--but which kind would become clear throughout his life.

KEEP YOUR FOCUS: The world has many points of view but Daniel’s focus was from God’s infinite viewing point. Daniel was consistent. He is often found praying and spending time with God was priority. The result was that he spoke clearly, plainly from God’s perspective and addressed matters-at-hand. This focus equipped him with the strength to stand firm in the midst of conflict.

Popular posts from this blog

“Men and women who saw God in the Bible: Why did they not all die?”

-
July 2004 I went to Kenya, Africa to speak in two Pastor’s Conferences on the subject of Man, Sin and Salvation. At the end of each day I left just over an hour for questions (half the time were questions touching the subject of my lectures, and the other half for “open questions”; that is, people could ask anything). For the next few weeks, I will be sharing the questions that were asked of me, and my answers—and believe me when I say these people really know how to think! Question from Kenya #1: “Men and women who saw God in the Bible: Why did they not all die?” [“ But He said, ‘You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live! ’” (Exodus 33:20) was the basis of the student’s question]. Answer: First, consider those who did see God—how did they respond when they saw Him? They were instantly aware of their sinfulness, and God’s holiness and righteousness (to name a few. And notice also that each responded in an attitude of worship, bowing down): Abraham built altars, wors
Read more

A Sonnet

-
“My God, where is that ancient heat towards thee, Wherewith whole shoals of martyrs once did burn, Besides their other flames? Doth poetry Wear Venus' livery? only serve her turn? Why are not sonnets made of thee? and lays Upon thine altar burnt? Cannot thy love Heighten a spirit to sound out thy praise As well as any she? Cannot thy Dove Outstrip their Cupid easily in flight? Or, since thy ways are deep, and still the fame, Will not a verse run smooth that bears thy name! Why doth that fire, which by thy power and might Each breast does feel, no braver fuel choose Than that, which one day, worms may chance refuse. Sure Lord, there is enough in thee to dry Oceans of ink; for, as the Deluge did Cover the earth, so doth thy Majesty: Each cloud distills thy praise, and doth forbid Poets to turn it to another use. Roses and lilies speak thee; and to make A pair of cheeks of them, is thy abuse Why should I women's eyes for crystal take? Such poor invention burns in their low mind Wh
Read more

Happy Valentines Day!

-
Image
  “We are born with a disposition to love in our hearts, which is developed in proportion as the mind is perfected, and impels us to love what appears to us beautiful without ever having been told what this is. Who can doubt after this whether we are in the world for anything else than to love? In fact, we conceal in vain, we always love. In the very things from which love seems to have been separated, it is found secretly and under seal, and man could not live a moment without this.” (Blaise Pascal)
Read more