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During my visit home, my Uncle Pete came to hear me preach and eat some of my sister’s good cooking.  Now Uncle Pete gives me great hope – he’s 81 and could pass for 60.  He still works everyday, holding up a load that would kill a lesser man.

Uncle Pete is a cattleman.  He’s been working cows since he was old enough to stay on the back of horse.  When school ended for the day, he and my mother would saddle up and ride out to rope and doctor screw worm calves on a swampy Florida ranch.  As a man, Pete entered rodeos on the weekend and worked cows and managed the biggest livestock market in Florida during the week.

God alone knows how many cows Uncle Pete has seen during his lifetime.  There are some things you know only through experience, and when it comes to cows, Uncle Pete knows.  So after a great Sunday lunch, I asked Uncle Pete to ride with me out to our pasture and tell me what he thought.  For the next hour and a half, I got a tutorial from one of the best cattleman in the state of Florida.

He would point out a cow that looked good to me and tell me she was too muscled and wouldn’t bring much at the market.  Details that I would miss, he caught, like the cows whose bags made it hard for calves to get milk.  Keep an eye on them, he said.  We talked about grass and pasture renovation and all the intricacies of running a ranch.  I walked away with a mental list of things to do and a profound respect for the man who knows about cows.

Who tells you how to run your life?

Most Americans turn to the gospel of Oprah, or the Testament of Dr. Phil.  Check any book store and you will find shelves filled with self-help books.  How do you know if you can trust these prophets of positive thinking?

Ask these questions:  What is there is their experience?  How often are they wrong?  Are their motives self-serving – to get you to watch more often, or buy something?  Has the advice offered stood the test of adversity?

God’s counsel to us stands up to these tests.  More amazing, His guidance has proved valid for thousands of years.  So read the Bible – apply it to your life.  Pray.  Ask God for help.  Listen to the Holy Spirit – follow God’s leadings. 

If you need advice about cows or ranching, call my Uncle Pete.  If you need guidance for life, eternity, relationships, finances, life choices, or your inner world, ask God – He wants to help you, because you matter to Him.

My daily Bible reading is taking through Joshua.  I’ve always known he was a great leader, but as I have moved through the book, God has re-opened my eyes to some important leadership principles:

Joshua 7 - It doesn’t take much in your family, church, or organization to make something go wrong.  I like Joshua’s response - he prays first.  He identifies who is the problem - something leaders often don’t want to admit:  the problem is often who not what or how.  Then he deals with it.

Joshua 8 - A leader has to do strategy.  I love Joshua’s strategy here - he studies the situation, anticipates the reactions of his opponent, and devises a plan.  Great thinking!

Joshua 9 - Every leader will blow it - and Joshua does here.  He doesn’t do his homework.  The Gibeonites fool him.  But Joshua’s integrity holds - he doesn’t let the Israelites destroy them - but he keeps his promise and even goes to battle to defend them in Chapter 10.

Joshua 13 - Joshua recognizes that there is another chapter after him - there is still land to be taken.  Ever good leader leaves his successor a challenge to be conquered.

Joshua 14 - the spotlight shifts to Caleb - love his spunk!  At 85 he is asking for territory not yet conquered.  He believes he can take it!

Joshua 17 - the tribe of Ephraim whines - we need more land.  Every leader will face this - somebody needs more resources, somebody needs more space.  Joshua is brillant.  He tells them to be their own solution and positively believes they can do it!  Don’t feel like you have to be the answer to everyone’s problems!

Joshua 19 - When it comes time to divide the land - Joshua goes last.  That’s what leaders do - they go last!

God make me a leader like Joshua!

I’m preaching a revival - renamed a Simplicity Conference - at my home church, New Hope Baptist Church, in Wauchula, Florida.  These are some of the best people in the world.  When I was a child they taught the stories of the Bible, fed me kool aid and sugar cookies, and loved me.  It was one of the greatest gifts a child could receive.  The good people of New Hope taught me the value of belonging, and taught me to love church.  That’s why from my earliest memory, the call to be pastor sprouted and bloomed.  The people of New Hope had already plowed the field.

Some familiar faces are gone.  Others have aged.  I saw my first girlfriend - from first grade.  Her oldest child is engaged now.  I ran into a girl I dated in High School - she has five grand children.  My Aunt Ouida, 93, blind but strong, made both services.  I want to be like her when I grow up.

Alzheimer’s and age are slowly robbing some others of the memories.  I can see it in their eyes - I look familiar - but they can’t quite make the connectons.  But I still owe them the debt of gratitude - and recognition.

My home church is hopeful these days.  They have a new pastor, who seems to have a lot on the ball.  I’m asking God simply to help me honor these people who nurtured me, and let me be a little gasoline for their future

Been behind in sharing some thoughts.  Here are some observations as we read through the Bible.

Joshua 3 - God validates Joshua as a leader.  God will give a leader success through a gift or a win to validate him. 

Joshua 4 - They made a monument to remember what God had done.  I have in my office a shell that I picked up on the beach after a very moving retreat day.  I still remember that day - I would encourage you to write your reflections, get some spiritual sovenirs to help you remember the great things God does!

Joshua 5 - Ever wonder why God choose circumcision as a sign?  The Bible never explictly says, but here’s a thought - It is very personal. 

I love the story at the end of this chapter - the angel appearing to Joshua.  My NIV study Bible has a great quote about verse 14:  It is not that God was on their side; rahter, they must fight God’s battles!  Exactly!  That mentality is missing in the church today!

Joshua 6 - You and I would never think about fighting a battle in this way - that’s why we lose so often.  If God tells you to fight a battle, He has a plan about how you are to win it!

Joshua 7 - When they got beat, they turned to God to ask “why?”  Do you?  If it seems like a Achan and his family pay too high a price for a little thievery, remember allowing the sin of coveting into your life always has a higher price than you think.  It will effect every thing you own and every member of your family.  When your wants cause you to disobey God, there is a high price to pay.

Pslam 73 - I love this psalm!  I too almost slip - I can envy the arrogant who don’t think about their impact on the others, and those who prosper.  I can lose sight of what a great God I have that out weighs any human possession.

Psalm 74 - I wonder if churches need to pray Psalms like this against our enemies?

Mark 1:9-34 - Look how Jesus moves through these verses.  He sets an example by being baptized; he faces temptations; He boldly preaches and calls disciples; he confronts evil (interesting that Mark makes this Jesus’ first miracle - a clue that Jesus’ ultimate mission is to destroy evil); he heals.  Jesus was purposeful about his life (now I owe Rick Warren a dollar).  If we are to be like Jesus, shouldn’t we move boldly and purposefully too?

1 Corinthians 1:8ff - Never forget that being a follower of Christ, being blest by God has more to do with Him, and less to do with you.

1 Corinthians 2 - The church’s message needs to be about the power of God.  So how much of our time and energy do we spend seeking God’s power?  Do we pray for it?  Do you ask God to annoint worship and teaching and activity?  What is our ratio of prayer to preparation?

Let me recap some things I’ve been thinking about Rev. Wright and the controversy about the sound bits from his sermons:

1.  It’s easy for a preacher to get in trouble.  We talk so much and can get lose with our words.  Plus, we can easy have something lifted out of context and be mis-understood.

2.  We must be careful not to let the Gospel be interpreted solely through our lense - our perspective.  Yes, our culture, our race, our education, and our socio-economic background does influence the way we read the gospel.  But we have to intentionally step back and ask what would this mean to someone from different background.  What is the broader perspective?

3.  Race is an ongoing issue in our country and our community.  We need to be respectful that we have no idea what it means to be of another race.  But we also need to be clear - in Christ, there is no racial division.  When anyone erects such a line in a church, it is man made and sinful.

4.  We must always remember to love our God more than our country.

5.  Put your trust in God, not politicians - or preachers!

Tonight at TruLife (6:00 pm), I’m going to share some thoughts about the controversy with Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his sermons.  I hope you can come!