Now THAT'S a good question

I've been carrying a scrap of paper around with me for about 6 weeks now. It is a simple list of questions. But there is something about these questions that cuts right to the core of my being. They are good questions... and they cause me to pause and reflect.

I picked them up one Sunday morning when I was visiting my church away from home, Apex. Pastor Rob lifted them from the pages of [Nehemiah], as he led his church through the book earlier this summer. I think a good question is dangerous... it can expose you. This set has proven dangerous for me... I hope you benefit as well.

1. What is it right now that requires courage from you to act on? [1]
2. Do you feel like you are meeting with the people of God or building with the people of God? [2]
3. How do you deal with conflict and do you realize how important your response is? [4]
4. Are you pursuing self advancement so much that you are desensitized to hurting people around you? [5]
5. Is prayer a regular part of your fight of faith or is it a last resort? [6]
6. Is having to be known by others more important to you than being known by God? [7]
7. Is your pursuit of joy in God the primary pursuit of your life? [8]
8. Is it hard for you to admit your wrong or take responsibility for sinful actuions? [9]

May you be so fortunate as to hold company with people who ask good questions.

Keep Rowing....

This past Sunday... we went to our church away from home.. APEX. When we are in Dayton visiting Christine folks (on the left)... we love going to Apex. As you can see by my shorts, flip-flops and coffee-in-hand... I feel right at home.

But look who we ran into... the George's. One month ago Denny (on the far right) and I were both on staff at the same church in Columbus. And now... exactly one month later... we are both no longer on staff and both are looking for new employment. The crazy thing is... we did not plan to meet up at Apex yesterday... we just both independently ended up there. It was great to see familiar faces in a strange land! We are not meant to journey alone.

The message was from Nehemiah 5 and was on the heart of a leader. The pastor challenged us all to have a leaders heart. And there are two things that will challenge your heart.

You find out how good a leader you are by how you handle failure... but you find out how great a leader you are by how you handle success.

Nehemiah... had great success... but he did not let it get in the way of a sacrificial... merciful... worshipful... determined... heart.

At the end of the service I wept. I sensed the reality of the presence of God that challenged me to keep going... and encouraged me to not give up.

Keep Rowing!!