The Hub Of Truth

". . . in him all things hold together . . ." ~ Col. 1:17

Continuing on with Keller (because, hey, it's worth it!). He talks about the "hub" of truth that is the Gospel, reminding me of the critical importance of the hub to the propeller in providing the driving force of propulsion for the entire ship. In a very real way the Gospel is the hub that connects the driving forces of our lives, providing propulsion for our souls, mind and body, as we operate in this world.

Implication #2- The sufficiency of the gospel.

Second, Paul is showing that we never “get beyond the gospel” in our Christian life to something more “advanced”. The gospel is not the first “step” in a “stairway” of truths, rather, it is more like the “hub” in a “wheel” of truth. The gospel is not just the A-B-C’s but the A to Z of Christianity. The gospel is not just the minimum required doctrine necessary to enter the kingdom, but the way we make all progress in the kingdom. We are not justified by the gospel and then sanctified by obedience, but the gospel is the way we grow (Gal.3:1-3) and are renewed (Col. 1:6). It is the solution to each problem, the key to each closed door, the power through every barrier (Rom. 1:16-17). It is very common in the church to think as follows. "The gospel is for non-Christians. One needs it to be saved. But once saved, you grow through hard work and obedience." But Col. 1:6 shows that this is a mistake. Both confession and "hard work" that is not arising from and "in line" with the gospel will not sanctify you--it will strangle you. All our problems come from a failure to apply the gospel. Thus when Paul left the Ephesians he committed them "to the word of his grace, which can build you up" (Acts 20:32) The main problem, then, in the Christian life is that we have not thought out the deep implications of the gospel, we have not “used” the gospel in and on all parts of our life. Richard Lovelace says that most people’s problems are just a failure to be oriented to the gospel--a failure to grasp and believe it through and through. Luther says, "The truth of the Gospel is the principle article of all Christian doctrine....Most necessary is it that we know this article well, teach it to others, and beat it into their heads continually." (on Gal.2:14f) The gospel is not easily comprehended. Paul says that the gospel only does its renewing work in us as we understand it in all its truth. All of us, to some degree live around the truth of the gospel but do not "get" it. So the key to continual and deeper spiritual renewal and revival is the continual re-discovery of the gospel. A stage of renewal is always the discovery of a new implication or application of the gospel--seeing more of its truth.

Deep Roots --> Reap Fruit

Centrality Of The Gospel
By Tim Keller [one of my favorite authors]

PRINCIPLE

In Galatians 2:14, Paul lays down a powerful principle. He deals with Peter’s racial pride and cowardice by declaring that he was not living “in line with the truth of the gospel”. From this we see that the Christian life is a process of renewing every dimension of our life-- spiritual, psychological, corporate, social--by thinking, hoping, and living out the “lines” or ramifications of the gospel. The gospel is to be applied to every area of thinking, feeling, relating, working, and behaving. The implications and applications of Galatians 2:14 are vast.

Part I - IMPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS IMPLICATIONS

Implication #1 - The power of the gospel.
First, Paul is showing us that that bringing the gospel truth to bear on every area of life is the way to be changed by the power of God. The gospel is described in the Bible in the most astounding terms. Angels long to look into it all the time. (1 Peter 1:12). It does not simply bring us power, but it is the power of God itself, for Paul says "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation" (Rom. 1:16). It is also the blessing of God with benefits, which accrue to anyone who comes near (I Cor. 9:23). It is even called the very light of the glory of God itself--"they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ...for God...has made his light shine into our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. 4:4,6)

It has the life of God. Paul said to the Corinthians, "I gave you birth through the gospel"! And then, after it has regenerated us, it is the instrument of all continual growth and spiritual progress after we are converted. "All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth." (Col. 1:6). Here we learn: 1) That the gospel is a living thing (cf. Romans 1:16) which is like a seed or a tree that brings more and more new life--bearing fruit and growing. 2) That the gospel is only "planted" in us so as to bear fruit as we understand its greatness and implications deeply--understood God's grace in all its truth. 3) That the gospel continues to grow in us and renew us throughout our lives--as it has been doing since the day you heard it. This text helps us avoid either an exclusively rationalistic or mystical approach to renewal. On the one hand, the gospel has a content--it is profound doctrine. It is truth, and specifically, it is the truth about God's grace. But on the other hand, this truth is a living power that continually expands its influence in our lives, just as a crop or a tree would grow and spread and dominate more and more of an area with roots and fruit.

Not Re-Inventing The Wheel

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." Ec. 1:9

I wanted to begin highlighting a few articles/devotionals I have been reading over the next few days. They have been powerful and effective at creating within me the beginnings of a repentant heart. I hope they will cause a similar work within you. The truth is, life is beginning to become increasingly busy and writing time is a bit short, so I thought I would do like a good SWO and simply cut & paste what others have written with my thoughts interspersed ;-)

* Remember the premise is: change the leader, change their sphere of influence. (For my part - I desire to influence the influencers, strategically imparting functional Gospel Truth to the military society's opinion-makers.) As Christians our intent is to change so as to reflect the image and character of Christ that we may change the environments in which we lead and the lives of those we influence. For the Christian change occurs through repentance. Repentance happens through accurate self-assessment in light of the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, all change is a community project. Therefore, upon pondering the sin that inhibits us (and offends God), we then turn (i.e. repent) away from the root cause of the sin (not simply the action) toward the redemptive provisions afforded by the Gospel (which is to say submit them to the Lord, lay them at the foot of the Cross, in faith believe them to be forgiven, and depend on the the grace of Christ to create us anew as we are empowered by the Spirit unto sanctifying transformation). *

Command At Sea

Command at Sea: the prestige, privilege and burden of command
By Joseph Conrad

Only a seaman realizes to what great extent an entire ship reflects the personality and ability of one individual, her Commanding Officer. To a landsman, this is not understandable - and sometimes it is even difficult for us to comprehend - but it is so!

A ship at sea is a different world in herself, and in consideration of the protracted and distant operations of the fleet units, the Navy must place great power, responsibility and trust in the hands of those leaders chosen for command.

In each ship there is one man who, in the hour of emergency or peril at sea, can turn to no other man. There is one who alone is ultimately responsible for the safe navigation, engineering performance, accurate gunfire and morale of the ship. He is the Commanding Officer. He is the ship!

This is the most difficult and demanding assignment in the Navy. There is not an instant during his tour as Commanding Officer that he can escape the grasp of command responsibility. His privileges, in view of his obligations, are almost ludicrously small; nevertheless, this is the spur which has given the Navy its great leaders.

It is a duty which richly deserves the highest, time-honored title of the seafaring world - Captain.

Great post and timely in light of our discussion of Redemption's implications on how we live/lead from TheResurgence.

Live Like You're Redeemed

Charles Spurgeon

The Prince of Preachers

Bought with a Price: Click | View Series

1 Corinthians 6:19-20—"You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

He slays our sins at the cross. "You were bought with a price." Let us consider this argument, that we may find therein death for our sins.

WHAT THE REDEEMED SHOULD DO

"So glorify God in your body."

Glorify God in your body:
By cleanliness, chastity, temperance, industry, cheerfulness, self-denial, patience, etc.

Glorify God:

• In a suffering body by patience unto death.
• In a working body by holy diligence.
• In a worshipping body by bowing in prayer.
• In a well-governed body by self-denial.
• In an obedient body by doing the Lord's will with delight.

Glorify God in your spirit:
By holiness, faith, zeal, love, heavenliness, cheerfulness, fervor, humility, expectancy.

Remember, O redeemed one, that:

1. You will be closely watched by Christ's enemies.
2. You will be expected to be more gracious than others and rightly so, since you claim to be Christ's own.
3. If you are not holy, the sacred name of your Redeemer, your Proprietor, and your Indweller will be compromised.
4. But if you live a redeemed life, your God will be honored.

Let the world see what Redemption can do.

Let the world see what sort of men "God's own" are.

Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes, which are in the public domain.

Fowler's Failures At USNA

"For God does not show favoritism." ~ Rom. 2:5-10
And neither should we as leader show preferential treatment.

What is going on at the Naval Academy? Read the following links to gain an understanding of the latest leadership failure by the Academy administration in the wake of the "Honor Guard" scandal.

USNI Concept of Honor
Tom Ricks
The Capital

As a young recruit during my first week in Boot Camp this powerful decree was impressed upon me by a guy with a red rope on his shoulder, "You will not lie cheat or steal, nor tolerate those that do!" If there be any truth in these reports this Midshipman should clearly be punished and declined the honor of leading in our great Navy or Marine Corps. Furthermore, I submit that any leader that tolerates or has tolerated such dismal lack of character in those under their command should be immediately removed from their position of authority as well. Leaders uphold, enforce, and maintain standards. It might not always be fun, but it's what we are paid to do. Some things are not left to judgment - any sign of weakness of integrity in a future Naval Officer must result in dismissal of that candidate. Our Sailors and Marines expect and deserve nothing less. Greater grace must be granted to the dependent masses of Sailors and Marines (and their families) that will be lead into harm's way by their Officers rather than provided to the individuals in desperate need of repentance and remediation. Mercy is best shown to dishonorable perspective leaders as they are shown the door. The necessity in times such as these is too great for such tolerance. I can simply continue to echo the long strings of comments by so many on this issue. I would add that this problem is less about the Mid in question as it is an even deeper problem of senior Naval leaders being delinquent in carrying out their duties to uphold the core values upon which the service is founded: Honor, Courage, Commitment! The Supe is deserving of standing before an Honor Board to provide an account and be held responsible for his repeat honor offenses. The essentials for leadership to exist are: authority, responsibility, and accountability. It's time to exercise accountability. It is my hope that this story is not finished. Let's keep in prayer this great American institution that has, does, and will continue to create some of our nation's greatest leaders.

Lessons From The Ever-Observant

"You see, you and I don't live in a series of big, dramatic moments. We all live in an endless series of little moments. The character of a life isn't set in ten big moments. The character of a life is set in the ten thousand little moments of everyday life." ~Tripp, Whiter Than Snow

They are always listening. They are always watching intently and observing your every move. They know what kind of clothes you wear, what you drive, what you like to eat. They watch how you walk, talk, and carry yourself. You are under a microscope and a stethoscope. It's just the reality of being a leader - particularly on board a ship. While your buddies in the business world are able to fake a facade and keep up appearances for the 8-10 hours a day they are in the office – it cannot be done in the confines of a piece of floating metal, with ever-observing Sailors densely packed onboard, in the middle of the ocean for 6+ months. It just can't be done. We work where we live. There is no escape of examination. Sailors are very perceptive and great judges of character. Every moment. They cannot be fooled for long, if at all. You will be found out and known for who you truly are. The sea has a way of revealing the true nature of a person. Underway, if you are awake you are at work. If you are not horizontal, in your rack, then you are being employed - standing watch, walking your spaces, at your computer, or in meetings. And, rather you sleep or you work you are being watched.

I know this to be true. There I was somewhere in the middle of the Western Pacific, returning from deployment, having just pulled out from a liberty port in Australia. I was a young Ensign, underway, as the JOOD (Junior Officer of the Deck), standing the mid-watch (2200-0200), on the bridge of a Destroyer. The Conning Officer and I were leaning on the window sill near the alidade (the normal place to spend time on the mid-watch) talking about our last port and thinking about the potential of the next. [At this point it should be mentioned that I was the lay leader onboard and responsible for conducting all Sunday Christian services and Wednesday Bible studies – so, the entire crew knew I was a believer]. As the bow cut through the moonlit shimmering waves we talked. And as the Bible says, where many words are sin is not far – the idle words turned to gossip and disdain for another person. The name of one of our fellow JO’s became the focus as we began talking trash about him. We were carrying on, in whispers, about how Ensign Jones would show up uninvited on the quarterdeck and annoyingly tag-along with the group of us wherever we went. The conversation continued to worsen (as such things tend to do) until I decided to meander out to the bridge wing to check the contact picture. On my way back in, as I’m stepping through the hatch, pausing to pull the handle shut behind me, I hear a sweet quiet voice come from the dark area near the helm. A young, Christian girl (who had once sought me with deep spiritual questions), Seaman Smith, was the helmsman and begins to ask me a most haunting question. Without malice, in her gentle southern draw, she says, “Excuse me, Sir.” I respond, “What is SN Smith.” She continued, “I was just wondering, Sir, what do you suppose Jesus would think?” Unaware, I asked “About what?” Her response still reverberates in my soul even as I write this . . . “About what you were saying of Mr. Jones.” Dumbfounded and ashamed I stood crushed under the conviction of those words. I still feel pain as a lump fills my throat and tears come to my eyes when I think back on that brief moment. I wish I would have responded in godly repentance, instead I was frozen and stunned by my sin. SN Smith was God’s mouthpiece that night. Certainly, the character of a life is set in ten thousand little moments of everyday life. Witness, which is to say Christian credibility, can parish like bio-luminescence off the ship’s bow. You are always being observed.

Insufficient

[The picture to the right exemplifies my assertions, failing to focus on the most vital part of this foundational verse]

Servant Leadership is insufficient to describe how Christians are to lead in the military. Here is a brief synopsis of the theory:

The phrase “Servant Leadership” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970. In that essay, he said:

"The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling (really? natural?) that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice (or the Lord brings it about) brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature."

"The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served (here's the main fault!)."

Virtually every Christian organization refers to leadership as being servant leadership, though they may be unclear on exactly what it is that is being supported (for military ministries this may be especially true). Servant leadership is fundamentally impractical for military leaders who have the distinct duty of prioritizing the unit’s mission above their subordinate’s needs and desires (to include the requirement of those individuals to give their lives for unit/national success). After all, how is asking a person to engage in mortal battle or (the other extreme) to clean the head, ensuring that their "highest priority and desires" are being served? Furthermore, how is requiring your followers to go to sea for extended periods, away from their families, and risk their lives serving them? We have to think about what we are saying - words matter. Christian military ministries repeat the need to be servant leaders, failing to define it, leaving it to ignorant interpretation, or subjective individual adoption of the impractical and clearly unChristian model provided by Greenleaf (that's if most people even pause to consider what they believe and how it impacts the way they lead for Christ). To advocate an unaltered Servant Leadership model for military leadership causes confusion and exasperation for Christians sincerely seeking to do God’s will and glorify Him through their service. Often these ministries, while well intentioned, as equipping organizations to Christian military leaders provide insufficient practical and relevant material while advocating a less than Biblical model for how to lead where they have been called. This is not done purposefully; yet accomplished none-the-less through failing to define the terms on which so much of what they advocate is based. The faulty assumption that everybody understands what is being said leads to a multitude of methods for execution, to include the common action of inaction. Essentially, there is a gap between what we say we believe and what/how we do it. My hope is that this blog will be part of the conversation that will help to bridge that gap for many Christian leaders, thereby enabling them to establish a solid foundation based on a fully Christ-like model of leading in service to the King while wearing the uniform of their nation’s military.

Leadership For Human Flourishing

This new model declares that as leaders we should be about redeeming the people we lead. Not redeeming in the sense of salvation; but we should be exchanging our lives to serve those we lead and in so doing bring people from what they are to what they could be (really what they were originally designed for). A Redemptive Leader will not merely look at his followers and see them as they are, but will perceive them with a vision for fulfilling their maximum potential under their leadership. Functionally, this means that we foster great working conditions, we ensure they have all they need to be successful in their jobs, we assist them in advancing in career milestones (increase in rank or qualifications), and we care about their families - truly loving them holistically, throughout the spectrum of the areas of their lives. In serving we will be redeeming the spheres of influence which God has appointed us to. The framework of this transformation is relationship; all change occurs in the context of authentic relationships. The communal aspect of Redemptive Leadership is foundational. The Redemptive Leadership model stems from the application of Biblical and Kingdom theology to existing Servant Leadership models. It is redemptive because the leader exchanges themselves for their followers. Furthermore, it is redemptive because of the exchange that is evoked in both participants as the sanctification process tears away the shackles of sin that have enamored them from living out the function for which they were formed. Do you see the transcendence inherent in this greater vision of leadership? You have not been commissioned to accomplish tasks, but to engage this broken world for Christ in existential relationships that will powerfully prosper your subordinates in the Name of Christ and for His glory. As Redemptive Leaders we should wholly strive for the flourishing of our subordinates, peers, and even seniors; and in so doing restore a fallen world to the prosperity of relationship intended prior to the Fall. Serve with agenda as Christ did and in faith, by His grace, your work will lead to many that are lost and broken being restored to the Redeemer.

To Serve w/ An Agenda

The secular world has readily adopted Servant Leadership as viable and effective, yet are we not called to something completely different than mere “value based leadership” by taking care of our people. I would assert that any theory of leadership (Servant or otherwise) is insufficient without Christ as the center. I have been pondering a new model of leadership I describe as “Redemptive Leadership” that is aligned with the premise of being flourish-focused (in the Biblical sense of the word; this will be defined and explored) as leaders. There is much hype in Christian and even secular circles of Servant Leadership based on Robert K. Greenleaf’s work culminating in the popular book of the same name. However, I am proposing that Servant Leadership is limited in scope, not fully representative of Christ-centered leading. The Bible describes the mission focus of the Lord stating, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for the redemption of many” (Matt. 20:28). Servant Leadership enthusiasts assert that leaders should serve without an intended organizational goal; they are completely determined to simply serve their subordinates without an expected return. Yet, I submit that Christ had an agenda in serving – to redeem His people, restoring them to all that the Father had originally created them for. Redemption is the exchange of one thing for another; Christ traded His life for those that were condemned and helpless to save themselves, and in so doing restored the fallen creation to an intimate relationship with God. I will explore the implications of His redemption on our ability and intent to lead redemptively in the coming days. Questions/comments?

COMFORT in Haiti

Check out the good work our brothers & sisters are doing in Haiti on the XO's blog.

Let's support them through prayer!

Redemptive Leadership

redemption: the act, process, or an instance of redeeming; to free from what distresses or harms; to free from captivity by payment of ransom through sacrifice; to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental; to release; to free from the consequences of sin; to change for the better; to exchange.


The Theory

Leadership is influence in relationship. There are countless theories of leadership, though many are hailing Servant Leadership as the most Biblical. If it is Biblical is it universal? If universal should it not apply to the influence military leaders have in their spheres of influence as well? With so many military ministries (and even secular institutions) now advocating Servant Leadership as the model best describing Christ-like leadership I felt compelled to contemplate what really is being advocated. After two years of academic study focused on this model I have learned that there is not one common, universally accepted definition; the spectrum of understanding when using the term spans from secular presuppositions to those with well-meaning Biblical intentions. However, I have become skeptical that no matter where it is that an individual’s worldview resides in relation to servant leadership theory their understanding of the concept is most certainly incomplete, or at a minimum insufficient. The fundamental issue stems from the failure to disassociate the means of leading from the ends of leadership. Put it another way, the problem resides in the confusion that serving others as a leader (or leading others as a servant) is the culmination, the end state and focus of the essence of leadership. I submit, that there is more based on Jesus’ statement of His primary reason for serving saying, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for the redemption of many” (Matt. 20:28, the Greek word lutron is translated as ransom paid to redeem or redemption). Jesus was a Lutron Leader - a Redemptive Leader. I would submit that's exactly what kind of leader we should endeavor to be and it's the exact model I am going to take some time to write about this week. I believe it to be the best model to effectively and adequately capture Christ-like leadership. If you have questions or comments, as always, leave a post and I will be sure to try my best to address them. Lead to Redeem!

The Owner's Manual

"Watch your life and doctrine closely." (1 Tim. 4:16)

A few days ago I wrote of our need to study people, understanding the underlying basis for their decisions.


To do this best you should do it in accordance with the Bible. After all, everything in the Navy is IAW some reference rather it be a technical manual (NSTM), maintenance card (MRC), or operational sequencing system (EOSS, CSOSS, etc.). So, lead IAW BIBLE. While the bookstore is overflowing with leadership books we would do well to remember that the best book on leadership is the Word of God. Study the Bible - no text better describes, defines, and depicts the reality of the human condition. If you want to lead people, you must know people. If you want to know people, you must know the Bible. After all it is the "owner's manual" given to us by the Manufacturer. If something was wrong with my vehicle and I needed to correct it where would I look? What if I wanted to maintain or improve it? The first place I would look would be the owner's manual. (This isn't a great metaphor because the Bible is completely adequate with regard to people.) With a vehicle the company that designed it has put out some basic information on that particular model to inform the owner of the essential and necessary information that the owner should know. The Bible is the Designer's Book for communicating the essential and necessary information to understand the nature of the creation, particularly His greatest creation - men and women. However, unlike an owner's manual for our stuff the Word of God tells us about the Creator as well. With regard to leadership it also describes the model and perfect example of the greatest Leader that ever walked the earth - Jesus. So, while there are biographies and autobiographies of good human leaders - the Bible (the WHOLE Bible - from cover to cover) tells us about Jesus Christ. Read it daily! - "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Josh. 1:8)

60 Second PhD in Leadership

This is worth the time.

Little Book of Leadership Powerpoint

View more presentations from PhilDourado.

Paul's Laws of Motive

Law: a rule, principle, or fundamental condition regarded as governing the relationship of an element in the structure of something to the other elements therein contained.

Newton may have his three Law's of Motion, but the Apostle Paul has his own Law's of Human Motive that we would do well to study. Here he describes one of them:

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ²¹So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²²For in my inner being I delight in God's law; ²³but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. ²⁴What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (Rom. 7:14-20)

Do you believe that? That doesn't really help me feel so good about myself. That's not so positive and encouraging. It certainly doesn't help my personal concept of self-esteem and humanistic identity. However, Scripture never discusses these pop-psychology notions. A true picture of human nature is described (in the first person) by Paul. Believe it! It is the truth! It applied to him and it applies to you, me, and the people we lead - it is a law. Leadership is all about people. Great leaders understand human nature - which is to say the indisputable laws that are at work in them, as well as those that govern the people they influence. You must become a law student, in this regard, to become a better leader. Study people, understand what directs them, consider the common conditions at work in the hearts of men.

Here's the rest of the Good News story - the answer to Paul's closing question: "Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom. 7: 25) He is able to triumph over the law of sin at work within his people.

Prayer For COWPENS & CAPT Graf

A great leadership tragedy has gripped the interest and attention of the Navy in general and the Surface community specifically in recent days. There is an enormous amount of stir on naval forums, blogs, and the media over the current relief of the COWPENS' Commanding Officer, CAPT Holly Graf, due to "cruelty and mistreatment" of her Officers and crew. Since this blog is mostly dedicated to (Christian) naval leadership I would be remiss to not add my comments. Clearly, CAPT Graf's conduct, attested to by many who have served/known her, is incompatible with the type of leadership expected and normally practiced in the Surface Navy. I believe this is why the outcry within the community has been so extensive and passionate.

So, my thoughts have been on what should be our response? We would do well to recognize that this type of behavior is rooted in a broken heart. Sin (fear, selfish ambition, pride, control, etc.) drives leaders to abuse their position of authority and consequently those that they have been called to lead/serve. Secondly, we must recognize that each of us have within us the capacity for such actions as well. I know that I am capable of far worse things than those that I have read about occurring under CAPT Graf's command. Realize for the regenerate it is the grace of God that restrains the sin that stems "cruelty and mistreatment" of other people. We too are often cruel toward others and mistreat people as we pursue our own agenda and fight to fulfill our own desires (James 4:1-2). Have you ever acted out in anger? Have you spoken cruelly to another person? Have you belittled those you know? Have you ever struggled to maintain control in the midst of fear and ambition-induced stress? I certainly have (and I am a Christian, supposedly sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit and governed by the principles of the Bible!). OK, maybe not as consistently or publicly as CAPT Graf, but the same source of darkness entrenched in her is resident in you and me. Surely, "but for the grace of God go I" is an appropriate response. Don't you see - Holly Graf is you, Holly Graf is me. We all are deserving of being "fired." What if we were to receive what we deserved? What if we were treated according to our actions, the unseen acts committed when no one is watching, and the secret motives of our hearts? You know what I'm talking about - those things that cause you sleepless nights as you ponder them in the still quiet darkness - laying restlessly in bed in the middle of the night - that you have done, which you wish could be undone. We should be so very thankful that God's grace restrains the effects of the Fall and our sinful flesh. We are not treated according to who we are and what we do.

So, CAPT Graf should serve as a momentary mirror giving pause for self-reflection. Our response should be to recognize that she is not beyond the redemption afforded by the Gospel. God uses times of brokenness to humble people and call them to repent and turn to a real and personal relationship with Him. Surely, CAPT Graf's world has came crashing down around her. Formerly, her identity was found in her career - it has been shattered. May she look to the Lord and be re-created anew as her identity becomes rooted in her relationship with the only Thing that is real and lasting. Finally (or, even better, firstly), let us pray. Pray for Holly Graf. Pray for her to be driven to godly repentance. Pray that this event in her life be the sharp needle that penetrates her hardened heart making way for the silken thread of the Gospel to enter. Pray that this temporary tragedy results in THE relationship that provides the experience of eternal life. Also, Pray for CAPT Marin as he assumes command of COWPENS (remember God has appointed him to this position at such a time as this, Rom. 13:1). He has a great challenge ahead of him and will need divine strength, wisdom, compassion, and discernment as he leads the battered Sailors of the Mighty Moo. Pray for the crew of the ship as they recover; that there would remain no bitterness and their faith and respect for the position of "Commanding Officer" and the Wardroom would be re-established and re-affirmed. Pray for those Surface Warfare Officers and Sailors that read about CAPT Graf that they would reflect on their own leadership style; considering how they can improve their own care for those they sail with. Pray that the culture of the surface community would change. That we would become more transparent and honest in how we lead and by what criteria we evaluate those with the potential for further service as leaders in this great Navy. We have case studies to examine groundings, poor INSURVs, safety mishaps, and tactical mistakes in combat. Yet, rarely do we talk specifically about the multitude of firings and causes for reliefs by senior leaders that inundate the cover of Navy Times. The details are kept secret and the perpetrators never give an account. They are simply and quietly sneaked into a cubicle in the basement of the Pentagon or stashed on a staff until eased into retirement. The next generation of leaders need to know what went wrong, why these CO's were removed, and what specifically made their behavior unacceptable. This kind of conversation must occur if we are ever going to change - to improve for our Sailor's sake. It is my prayer that we will become more transparent and in discussing how to lead and where leaders have failed - emerge as a more healthy community - established in leadership attributes that reflect a heart of service, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, joy, peace, faithfulness, self-control, and ultimately love for our followers.

To Serve w/ An Agenda

The secular world has readily adopted Servant Leadership as viable and effective, yet are we not called to something completely different than mere “value based leadership” by taking care of our people. I would assert that any theory of leadership (Servant or otherwise) is insufficient without Christ as the center. I have been pondering a new model of leadership I describe as “Redemptive Leadership” that is aligned with the premise of being flourish-focused (in the Biblical sense of the word; this will be defined and explored) as leaders. There is much hype in Christian and even secular circles of Servant Leadership based on Robert K. Greenleaf’s work culminating in the popular book of the same name. However, I am proposing that Servant Leadership is limited in scope, not fully representative of Christ-centered leading. The Bible describes the mission focus of the Lord stating, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for the redemption of many” (Matt. 20: 28). Servant Leadership enthusiasts assert that leaders should serve without an intended organizational goal; they are completely determined to simply serve their subordinates without an expected return. Yet, I submit that Christ had an agenda in serving – to redeem His people, restoring them to all that the Father had originally created them for. Redemption is the exchange of one thing for another; Christ traded His life for those that were condemned and helpless to save themselves, and in so doing restored the fallen creation to an intimate relationship with God. I will explore the implications of His redemption on our ability and intent to lead redemptively in the coming days. Questions/comments?

Prime-Mover Maintenance

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring (ultimate cause) of (your) life. Prv. 4:23

Inside most "small boys" (CG/DDG/FFG surface combatants) are gas turbine engines. Deep inside the recesses of the hull, near the keel, in hot engine rooms lie up to seven of these modified aircraft engines. They are the prime movers that make the propellers push the ship through the water and generate all of the required power for the vessel. They are the heart and soul of the ship - without them the ship is but a piece of dormant floating metal - a lifeless barge. Everyday each engine is provided rest and thoroughly washed with fresh water and a specifically designed cleaning solution. They are complex and delicate machines that must be treated with extreme care and constantly maintained if the ship is going to be able to conduct the mission it is designed for.

The heart is the gas turbine engine of the person. It is complex, delicate, and susceptible to wear and the perpetual build-up of dirt and grime (sin) as it is used throughout the day (Jer. 17:9). Daily the heart should be brought down for maintenance and cleansed in the specifically designed cleaning Solution of the Gospel. Daily, let us examine our hearts in light of the Word and confess the sin that stems from it that we may be completely washed, restored as an entirely new thing, improved for the task that the Lord has for us.

This verse is like a bar of soap for the Christian. "If we confess out sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness." (1st Jn. 1: 9)

Generous in love - God, give grace!
Huge in mercy - wipe out my bad record.
Scrub away my guilt,
soak out my sins in your laundry.
I know how bad I've been;
my sins are staring me down.
(Ps. 51:1-3 Message Translation)

Bad News/Good News

"Gospel" literally means "good news" - and to understand the good news you must understand the bad news. Contrast yields understanding and appreciation. The extent of your understanding of the bad news is directly proportional to your understanding of the Gospel. Read with me Lk. 7: 36-50. These were/are life changing words for me. That woman "who lived a sinful life" deeply understood her personal bad news story. It drove her to brokenness, in tears, giving her greatest possession, brought low in humility before man, in worshipful service of Jesus. She grasped well the gravity of her total depravity. Think hard on the words of our Lord in verse 47, "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Our story ends with this mysterious woman being granted redemption - an exchange: removal of sin, replaced by peace! We have been and are being redeemed so that we are capable and empowered to be redemptive leaders.

Over All Lines!

Our supreme need, our only need, is to know God, the living God, and the power of his might. We need nothing else. It is just that, the power of the living God, to know that the living God is among us and that nothing else matters. . . . I say, forget everything else. Forget everything else. We need to realize the presence of the living God amongst us. Let everything else be silent. This is no time for minor differences. We all need to know the touch of the power of the living God. ~D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

It is interesting to consider the freeing effect when the sins that enchained are broken and the unencumbered self begins to emerge. It's like the ship, doing what a ship is meant to do - which is to say go to sea, as the mooring lines are cast off. Jesus taught, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (Jn. 8:31-32, 34-36) The knowledge of the saving truth, only revealed by the accompanying Holy Spirit, is able to equip one for obedient following of the Lord’s teachings. There is freedom, distinct from salvation freedom, as we progress in the sanctification (Phil. 1:6) and further realization of who we are in Christ and what we have been designed for (i.e. glorify God and enjoy Him forever). Sin seeks to shackle each individual (believers and non-believers alike) to prevent this realization and ultimately to kill the Creator-reflecting humanity in each person. We forget, and so Christ reminds us that we are free indeed and the Spirit that raised Him from the dead has released us from the chains that bind and delivered us unto a transcendent life for His glory and our good. As change occurs it is not personality that is being transformed - for the Christian - but, Jesus emerging through us as His character is revealed. We diminish, He develops.