The Game-Winning Hit!

To say that I am a proud dad right now is a huge understatement! Zachary had his league championship baseball game tonight. It was quite a game. Both teams played their hearts out to the very end. Zachary's team went down by one run in the last inning, but fought back during their last at bat.

That's when the magical moment came. With the bases loaded and 1 out, Zachary came to the plate. I really haven't been that nervous in a long time! After taking a few pitches, Zachary got a hold of one and lined it into the gap for a 3-RBI game-winning triple! The crowd went wild (including his dad who started jumping around  screaming like a chicken who just lost his head) and his team quickly rushed the field and jumped on top of him like you see in the major leagues. The final score was 7-5. It was one of those moments that will last in our memory for a long time.

The picture above is Zachary with his coach. Go Zachary!!!

What Controls You?

I was an avid Mets fan when I was growing up. My brother and I spent many hours listening to games on the radio (we didn't have a television). I knew every player and many of their stats. I still remember 1986 when they won the World Series against the Red Sox. Poor Bill Buckner...right through his legs!

While being a baseball fan brought a lot of enjoyment in my life, it also did something to me that wasn't healthy. It controlled my emotions. My family could tell right away whether the Mets had won or lost on any given day by seeing what kind of mood I was in. If the Mets beat the other team, I was happy as could be. If they didn't, I was a mess. I just couldn't get over it! Do you know anyone like this?

I eventually realized what was happening in my life and stopped following sports altogether for years...until the Chicago Bulls came along in the 90's and won title after title! Jordan sure was amazing to watch! Over the years, I've made progress and I am learning to guard myself against things that control my emotions.

It's important to remember that just about anything can reign over our emotions: our relationships, our performance at work, the stock market, a job loss, our children, etc. Here are a couple verses that have helped me along the way:

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

Don't let the devil use anything to consume your life and control your emotions. Instead, submit yourself to God, let him consume you, and you will live above your circumstances!

Apples and Trees

The other day, I was at the baseball field and I was reminded of a phrase my mom used to use when I was growing up. She used to say, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." One of the players on a team had gotten mad and stormed off the field declaring to everyone that he had quit. I wasn't really surprised by his behavior. His dad, one of the coaches, is known at the field for arguing with the umps and yelling at his players. I wonder where his son learned such behavior? Hmmm....

This incident was yet another reminder to me that, as leaders, we replicate who we are...whether we like it or not. As a leader, I must first examine my own life before pointing the finger at the team I am leading. I was reading a blog post today by Perry Noble (he's becoming one of my favorites), and he was writing to senior pastors leading their staff.

"If you want loyalty…then GIVE IT!  The leader that demands it but does not offer it often leaves a wake of abused and neglected staff members." To read his full post, click here.

Don't get me wrong, there are times when individuals go their own way. But in general, the speed of the leader determines the speed of the team.

The Measure of a True Worship Experience

I've had the privilege of visiting a lot of churches in the Charlotte area over the past 4 months or so. Throughout my journey, I've had numerous conversations with people about corporate worship. Interestingly, most of the topics discussed have been about style. Let's face it! Although worship is a spiritual act, we are humans and so often style can enhance or hinder our worship experience.

So what is the measure of a true worship experience? For all of the traditionalists...it's not how many hymns are sung. For all of the modernists...it's not if the worship leader wears jeans and plays the guitar. It's not how many people are on stage or if you like the worship leader's voice. It's not how long or how loud the people sing. It's not how many times you sing the songs (grew up in one of those churches!!!) and it has nothing to do with how programmed the service is. Spontaneity is not the measure of true worship and neither is the perfect line-up of songs. It has nothing to do with how well-executed the transitions are or if the music falls short or expectations.

A true worship experience can best be measured by the impact it has on the lives of its participants. True worship experiences bring you closer to God! They change you from the inside out and make you more like Jesus. They leave you in a position where you see the world more through Jesus' eyes than your own. Such times fill you with godly joy and peace and sometimes even conviction!

While I do think that issues of style are important for reaching particular cultures (more on that another time), it must NEVER be the measure of a true worship experience. One more thing...remember that your worship experience is affected by your willingness to reach out to God as well. God never forces anyone to worship Him!

Well, that's enough for now! I'd love to hear your thoughts or any issues you may be wrestling with.