The Old Ways...

Just came across these 2 verses in my reading this morning. I’m including them in English & Slovak - just in case you decide you want to start to learn Slovak!

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“This is what the LORD says:Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.”

“Takto hovorí Hospodin: Postojte na cestách a vidzte a pýtajte sa po chodníkoch veku, ktorá je tá dobrá cesta, a iďte po nej a tak najdite pokoj svojej duši! Ale oni povedali: Nepojdeme!”
Jeremiah 6:16 - Jeremiah 6:16 (ROH)

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“This is what the LORD says:Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the LORD.”

“Takto hovorí Hospodin: Nech sa nechváli múdry svojou múdrosťou, ani nech sa nechváli udatný muž silný svojou silou, nech sa nechváli bohatý svojím bohatstvom!”
Jeremiah 9:23 - Jeremiah 9:23 (ROH)
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I was just reminded that newer is not always better. Even the Lord confirms that. He tells us to ask for the ancient paths - the good way - and then when we find it to walk in it. And we’ll find rest for our souls in it! Wow! What are we doing trying to re-invent the wheel?

God is good!

Leadership thoughts

“Leadership is stewardship. It is temporary and you’re accountable.” Andy Stanley

This is a statement that is heard during the intro of the Catalyst Podcast. It is a statement that rings terror in my heart as a follower of Christ and Christian leader.

I highly recommend the Catalyst Podcast - you can subscribe on iTunes by typing in Catalyst Podcast in the search window on the iTunes Store site. If you’re in leadership of any sort - youth ministry, children’s ministry, your own business, as an employee, whatever - you need to listen to this podcast!

It is serious business to lead others - where are we leading them? How are we leading them? What are they catching from our example? Do we lead them as Christ would if He were physically in our shoes? (By the way, the Slovak phrase for that is, “in our skin?”). Are we leading them with Christ’s motives or do we have our own hidden agendas (fame, power, influence, etc.)?

I want to influence people by the power of Christ & His Spirit in me to expand His Kingdom & influence and love for them.

Washington/Dulles layover

Nothing “big” to report right now except to say that only one of my bags was really overweight (69 pounds!). It cost $50 to check it in, but I saved so much more than that on the items that I purchased while here.

One example: I used Gillette Mach 3 blades for shaving. In Slovakia, I pay over $10 for 2 refill blades. I bought 12 blades for $8.44 on this trip!

I’m REALLY tired. Had to get up at 5:30 to take Peto to the MARTA (mass transit train) to get to the airport. It was well after 3:00am when I went to bed, but I did get another 45 minutes after I dropped Peto off.

I’m really looking forward to seeing my wife & kids - a week is a long time to be apart from them - for me.

Northpoint Community Church visit

Went to Northpoint Community Church this morning with the Parkers. Andy preached via video from the Buckhead campus. His image was projected life-size in High Definition on the screen center stage and then there are the 2 screens on the sides that zoom in on his face, etc. Interesting concept and quite convincing.

Peto and I were struck by the consistency of the theme of the message all throughout the campus. The place is enormous and unbelievable in so many ways, but it all makes so much sense.

Last night we had dinner with the Parkers and the Reeds. Libby Reed came to Slovakia twice to serve at our Big House English Camps and it was good to reconnect with her and the whole family.

It was also refreshing to have some concentrated prayer time with the 2 families. It is indeed a powerful tool for us as followers of Christ.

This afternoon, we had dinner with Joan Martin - a long-time family friend. We caught up on families, churches, personal lives and then enjoyed the fellowship that comes as we share what Christ is doing in our lives.