Career Advice from Ecclesiastes (pt. 3)

Scripture tells us that our lives are but a vapor - like the sea mist you observe as you pilot the channel outbound for sea in the early morning. In our arrogance we make many plans accompanied by many words with little fear or recognition of the Sovereign God who pilots our lives in this perishing world. Hold it all loosely, like sand in your hand. If you cup it gently so that God can give and take away in His wisdom you preserve it. Grasp tightly in selfish ambition or fear and little will remain. Rest in the sovereignty of God - be at ease in God Himself.

". . . To draw near to listen is better . . . for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. 7For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;but God is the one you must fear." (Ecc. 5:1, 3, 7)

"13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (Ja. 4:13-17)

Career Advice from Ecclesiastes (pt. 2)

"9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. 15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account." (Ecc. 3:9-15)

What gain is our work onboard? Is it a burden? We are unable to fully imagine the beauty that is unfolding as we participate in the work of God. Joyful goodness is the burdened call of our business. Find fulfillment in the gift that God has given you. And the strain is diminished as we realize out inability to add or take away anything of significance from the enduring work of God. So, He is at work . . . to produce reverence in our souls. Joyful exertion, ethical in obedient living, satisfied in His sovereignty, we worship as we work.

The 4 C's of Leadership

From Regent University's Inner Resources:

Dr. Winton writes a very thought provoking article. Here are a few highlights worth pondering, he writes there are 4 essential aspects of leadership:

- Calling (doing what God wants you to)
- Competence (being good at what you do)
- Confidence (knowing what you can accomplish in the context)
- Character (“good” traits)

The point of contention is that he asserts that character is the least important of the four pillars of leadership (note: he is the Dean of the school of leadership at a Christian university). "The paper draws from both Old Testament and New Testament examples of success based on each of the four Cs. The premise of the paper is that with each successful level of the four Cs, greater success happens. An organization’s leadership development program may be informed by this paper in that developing-leaders should first be filtered/selected by their sense of calling, followed then by education and training to increase their competence. Then, developing leaders can receive counseling and education to increase their confidence and finally, developing leaders can be coached, measured, critiqued, and developed in character traits." I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts - he sure does make a Biblical case for his submission.

Read the full paper here:
The Four C's of Christian Leadership

True Success

This is from TED (if you are unfamiliar with TED check it out). Aside from that, Coach Wooden offers some sound wisdom on how to define success. Remember all truth is God's truth. It's all around us - we must have ears to hear and eyes to see it (Matt. 13:16). How do you define success? What did success look like when you achieved it in the past? What would the ultimate success look like if achieved? Add a comment and talk it up.

The Modern Roman Road

The current issue of Covenant magazine had an interesting article. Dr. Chapell wrote:

"First-century Christians had a temendous challenge before them as they attempted to respond to Jesus' Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). Taking the gospel from Jerusalem to all nations would have seemed a daunting task for this small group of ragtag disciples. And yet the Lord provided both the means (in the form of an extensive system of Roman roads that made travel throughout the empire easy and safe) and the power (in the form of his indwelling Spirit) for them to do as he commanded. The result was an amazing transformation not only of many individual lives but of the world as well."

It's interesting how the Lord uses the developments of advanced civilizations to spread the gospel. I believe that the internet is the modern Roman Road. Taking the gospel to all of the military society seems a daunting task for this ragtag disciple. Yet, we serve the Lord who is more than able. He has a vested interest in seeing the Name of His Son disperse and be glorified. I believe that through the use of the modern Roman Road (such as this blog) an amazing transformation not only of many individual lives, but of the entire military society will result. In the coming days I am going to talk more about the use of this blog and other social network technology to induce change in the minds of leaders that will result in the exponential effect of transformation in the spheres they influence. If you are such a leader interested in seeing your area of responsibility be impacted for Christ hit this site daily and tell others about it. Quantity can have a quality all its own ;-)

Making Men-Catchers

The following post is adapted from The Resurgence that is adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes, which are in the public domain.

Matthew 4:19: And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Our desire should be to be men-catchers as we lead; and the way to attain to that sacred art is to be ourselves thoroughly captured by the greatest Leader and the One who has captured us. When Jesus draws us we shall draw men. The man who leads souls is like a fisher upon the sea. A fisher is dependent and trustful. He is diligent and persevering. He is intelligent and watchful. He is laborious and self-denying. He is daring, and is not afraid to venture upon a dangerous sea. He is successful. He is no leader who never leads anyone. See the ordination of successful leaders. They are made, not born; made by God, and not by mere human training. See how we can partake in the Lord's work, and be specimens of his workmanship: "Follow me, and I will make you."

P.S. Scroll over any verse citation on this site and the full Bible verse referenced will pop up (I've added "reftagger"). Here's an example: Josh. 1:6-9

Standards Through Sincerity

From "Cut of His Jib:"

"Unless and until officers conduct themselves at all times as officers, it is useless to demand and hopeless to expect any improvement in the enlisted ranks. Matters of correct attitude, personal conduct, and awareness of moral obligations do not lend themselves to control by a set of rules or to scientific analysis...Many methods of instruction and different approaches to teaching them will present themselves. Each naval officer must consider himself an instructor in these matters and the future tone of the naval service will depend on the sincerity which he brings to this task."

Admiral T. C. Kinkaid
United States Navy
1947