7 Leadership Keys from Ferguson

Like most Americans, I had never heard of Ferguson, Missouri... until last week. Sadly, this mid-west community is now trending in social media due to a confrontation between local Police Officer, Darren Wilson, and eighteen-year-old, Michael Brown that tragically left the teenager dead. 

Capt. Ron Johnson

Ferguson is on fire... and its fuse is short! The police and community are in a stand-off with fractured communication and no cooperation. Racism is suspect in the shooting. Distrust is high. Frustration is growing. News cameras are running. Violent demonstrations are occurring. Arrests are frequent. Politicians are taking sides. An eruption seems inevitable.

Where leadership is vacant... chaos thrives.

Eventually, a new face, Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, was assigned to lead security oversight for the citizens, businesses and community protests in Ferguson. And it was during his introductory address in that hotbed of crisis where I identified seven leadership keys that Johnson displayed that had been grossly lacking.

1. Focus on the hurting.

    Immediately after taking the mic, Johnson asked the locals that were attending the press conference if they could hear him on the microphone. When the people said, "No",  he then proceeded to leave the platform and move into the crowd - leaving the national media scrambling to catch their sound byte without a mic. Johnson said that his greater concern was for the citizens of Ferguson because they were the ones that needed to hear his voice - they were the ones who were hurting.

    LEADERS will overlook the opportunity of name recognition, publicity and personal status to focused on the hurting people they are assigned to lead. 'Concern for people' trumps 'popularity' in the hearts of a leader every time.

2. Connect with the people. 

    The evening before his public introduction and assignment, Capt. Johnson walked among the thousands of civil and violent protesters - while dressed in full uniform. Please remember that the police had been considered the 'enemy' among the crowd. Yet, Johnson took the risk to personally engage with the scared, hurting and angry people, look them in the face and assure them that answers were on the way.

    
    LEADERS are among the people they are leading. Concern and understanding cannot be fully communicated from behind a desk or on a platform. Leaders must always remain as 'one of the crowd', while connecting, listening and caring for those they are privileged to lead, protect and serve.

3. Choose honesty over politics.

    I listened as Capt. Johnson carefully chose his words in regards to how he felt the Ferguson Police Department had handled the shooting and aftermath. In essence, He stated that some things should have been handled differently by local law enforcement, but he was assured that the necessary oversight was now in place and that answers would soon follow.
    
    LEADERS know that honesty and integrity are character issues that are foundational to lasting influence. Even in opposition, honesty is always identifiable and respected. Sadly, leadership and politics are no longer equatable. Charisma and accomplishment may sway the crowd for a moment, but when leaders choose to 'people-pleasing' and 'reputation' over honesty and truth - their end is near.
 

4. Admit your weakness.

    During his introduction speech, Johnson spoke of a conversation he had with his daughter. After walking with the protesters, she asked him if he was afraid. He admitted that he was. Then he admitted to the entire crowd that 'we all are afraid'.     

    LEADERS admit their humanity. Some say that confessing weakness will hurt a leaders influence. But there is a difference in 'owning weakness' and 'making weakness an excuse'. For a leader, admitting the presence of an obstacle makes him/her human; but moving forward despite the obstacle makes him/her a leader. The greatest quality leaders can portray is not the absence or denial of a challenge, but the refusal to be limited or owned by it. Leaders admit being human and keep walking. Weakness makes you human; refusal to quit make you a leader.

5. Speak-out against wrong. 

    The day he was introduced to the nation, Capt. Johnson stepped to the platform and called an end to the chaos in Ferguson. He made no excuse for it. He explained that rioting in the streets was only hurting the people of Ferguson and he appealed to the citizens to stop the destruction of their community, businesses and themselves. 
    
    LEADERS have the strength to speak-out against evil - using their voices to oppose chaos. Leaders see the long-term impact of today's actions, cast vision for tomorrow and then give hurting people 'permission' to stop destroying their own lives. Very often, leaders are the only ones left standing between life and death. Leaders are bride builders... but sometimes they must also build barriers so they can redirect people to a new bridge...  people.

6. Keep smiling in tough times.

    Capt. Johnson was brought on the scene in an emotionally charged and volatile time. Yet, during his address to the media and those in attendance, Johnson found a way to appropriately interject a smile and a moment of humor. As the crowd responded with their own smiles, peace and hope both made a needed appearance.

    LEADERS understand the importance of resetting the atmosphere with a smile. Tough scenarios are inevitable. Difficult conversations and meetings must be had. But leaders know that even challenging situations can benefit from a properly-timed, kind facial gesture. When used with appropriately, a leaders smile can add a sense of warmth, hope and concern for all involved.

7. Use the Bible to give hope.

    As Capt. Johnson spoke candidly about the conversation he had with his daughter, he concluded by reflecting on the bible story of Peter walking on the water with Jesus. He used the familiar story to encourage every listener how, in the same way Jesus picked Peter up out of his sinking situation, He is going to pick us up out of this situation and carry us out, too.

   
    LEADERS recognize the responsibility of giving hope to those they lead, especially in times of crisis. Identifying and speaking to the spiritual aspect of humanity creates deep impact. And the bible is that book that anchors people's hearts so they can see through the chaos and believe for a better tomorrow. Unexpected and unwanted seasons occur in everyone's life, but leaders lead the strongest when they discover the power of giving hope and expectation for a better future.

Only time will tell as to how things will play-out... because leadership only works when others are willing to follow. But hopefully, Capt. Johnson and the other officials will be able to restore a lasting peace, direction and order in Ferguson, Missouri.

*Please join me in extending heartfelt concern and prayers to Michael Brown's family and friends, Officer Darren Wilson and the community of Ferguson, Missouri.

David & Goliath... the forgotten detail!

David and Goliath is an epic biblical story most of us learned at an early age. With such an inspiring message of the underdog overcoming impossible odds, there is no wonder why this story is referenced in both the sacred and secular arenas.

Unfortunately, there is one seriously important element that is regularly overlooked while telling the story. What is this missing element? David not only carried his sling to fight the giant... but the first weapon he grabbed was his staff! Why is the staff typically forgotten and what significance could it possibly add to the story?

     1 Samuel 17:40
     "Then he took his staff in his hand... and with his sling in his hand, approached the 

     Philistine."

Hebraic understanding reveals 2 purposes for the "staff":

1. A tool and a weapon - used to prod sheep as well as a club to fight off predators

2. A written (engraved) testimony of God's acts - both personal and family

The staff was a wooden rod that carried the inscribed genealogical record of a family (Num. 17:2). And from that list of Patriarchal names, the historical acts of God could be recounted and retold throughout that family's lineage - passing on the family heritage and keeping alive the testimonies of God's on-going protection and blessing. Ultimately, this "stick of testimony" became an valued treasure of inheritance that was passed from generation to generation.

I am sure that David used his staff daily to guide and protect the sheep. Yet, at other times, David must have used his staff to recount and remember God's record of faithfulness over the years. It is for this reason - the staff bearing a record of David's family experiences with God - that I believe David took his staff into battle to fight Goliath. Not so much to be used as a physical weapon, but more as a personal reminder that since God had already proven to bless, protect and provide in times past, then He will do it again. I believe that David's staff reminded him that "just as God was with my family then, He is with me now!"

So the picture of David taking his sling AND his staff to face Goliath becomes more clear and complete. The sling represented David's 'skill', but the staff was his 'testimony' that reminded him of "God's faithfulness" - both of which we must be equipped with as we face our giants and fight forward every day.

The POINT: Relying on our skills alone will get us killed, because there are giants bigger and stronger than our ability to overcome. On the other hand, expecting God alone to work everything out for us without applying our own effort leaves us 'dead' (James 2:17). However, once we learn to exercise our skills while trusting in God's faithfulness... GIANTS DIE, ARMIES RUN and God's KINGDOM WINS!!

A Big I.D.E.A.

We like the thought of having “life under control”… but nothing could be further from reality! It only takes one ‘txt. msg’, doctor’s report, stock report, phone call or accident to rock our world and remind us that life is seriously fragile.

A closer look at God’s Word reminds us to turn our focus inside, not outside. And although we can’t control life’s external circumstances, it is the internal choices we make that create our world.

Check-out this 'fab-four' and discover what God has to say about living your life with a Big I.D.E.A. After all, these are the only four things you have control over in life...

A BIG I.D.E.A.

• I – Integrity (Prov. 10:9)

         Live so that your private and public life have no daylight between them. Authenticity 
         creates self-confidence, trustworthiness and broadens your influence.

• D - Declaration (Eph. 4:29)

         Keep your talk positive, strong and forward. Talk about where you’re going, not where 
         you’ve been.

• E - Effort (Col. 3:23)

         Never be caught looking when you should be working. Opportunity is created by 
         effort.

• A - Attitude (Phil. 2:14-15)

         Without the right mind-set… skills and talents are irrelevant. Make sure the 
         atmosphere you create is healthy enough for you and others to grow in.

This Big I.D.E.A. reminds us that when we control everything we can, we are then able to handle everything we can’t. Stop trying to control people and things, and start dealing with yourself. Handle this quartet responsibly and life will be steady, strong and successful.

Banging Heads With God

I have been a fight-fan all of my life. From boxing and wrestling matches (the real and the fake stuff) to Mixed Martial Arts, I love to watch a good fight ...as long as I'm not the one taking the hits!

But did you know that God loves to bang-it-up in the ring, too? I know we usually talk about God's wonderful comfort and gentle embrace, but I have to admit that I have also experienced the whiplash of His 'flying headlock' and the domination of His 'rear-naked-choke-hold'. ...there have definitely been times when God put the smack-down on my life!

After surviving a few of these "brutiful" (brutal & beautiful) encounters, I discovered something subtly distinct about God's combat techniques... sometimes He fights, and at other times He wrestles. Let me explain.

Fighting and wrestling are two completely different styles of physical engagement. For the fighter, his plan is simply to beat his opponent into unconsciousness, while the wrestler's intent is to pin his opponent to the floor using strategic maneuvers. In the end, the fighter's goal is to damage his opponent, while the wrestler's quest is to simply alter and control his opponent's position. 

Throughout the Bible (and in my life), I've discovered that God sometimes rages like a Fighter and then at other times like a ground and pound Wrestler. Let's check-out these roles one at a time.

Exodus 15:3 (NIV)
      "The Lord is a Warrior; the Lord is His Name."

Personally, I am so grateful that God has a Warrior inside His nature. Don't get me wrong, I am beyond thankful for His grace and mercy - I need both of those in my life daily. But His willingness to respond passionately against the enemies of my life is a comforting and assuring thought. Just the idea that God refuses to sit back and watch me get my head beat-in by the 'hell's thugs' helps me sleep better at night.

As a Warrior, God decidedly knows how to take care of His people - He's never faced an enemy He hasn't been able to eradicate! Yep... God has a 'hot button', and when it's pushed, He's the baddest Dude that block has eva' seen!

Then there's the "other" side to God's physicality in dealing with people - the Wrestler. One of my favorite stories in the Bible tells of where God literally locks-it-up with a man named Jacob. The sports headlines read, "Smackdown 1906 B.C.: Jake vs. Jehovah!" 

Genesis 32:24 (NIV)
      "So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak."

Can you imagine telling your friends that you physically wrestled with God? The Hebrew word for wrestle in this verse means, to grapple (to get dusty). Bottom line... Jacob and God were literally rolling around in a cloud of dust - sweating, grabbing, twisting, pushing and pulling like two kids fighting over a PlayStation remote. The Bible goes on to say that when the scuffle was finished, Jacob walked away with a limp, a blessing and a new name (I'll have to blog about these three results some day!). Thankfully for Jacob, God shifted His tactic from fighting/warring against him to wrestling and engaging him hand-to-hand - which ultimately altered Jacob's character and destiny.  

Here's the Key: God fights with His enemies, but He wrestles with those He loves! 

• The Warrior uses weapons to destroy; the Wrestler uses moves to gain control.
• The Warrior keeps a distance from his opponent; the Wrestler stays close and in constant contact.
• The Warrior makes you bleed; the Wrestler makes you sweat.
• The Warrior dis-positions you; the Wrestler re-positions you.
• The Warrior makes you weaker; the Wrestler makes you stronger.

We are all going to experience some brutiful seasons with God. He's going to grapple against your will, but stay close by your side. He's going to allow you to struggle and sweat through tough seasons, while subtly re-positioning you for a better life. You simply have to believe that God's plan will never destroy you; His push is there to strengthen you; His grip is there to protect you; His squeeze is there to comfort you... and the weight of his Presence is there to cover you with His love!

The truth is, my greatest moments of change, advance and growth have only happened after I've experienced a Head-to-head "ALTAR-cation" with the Greatest Wrestler of all time...

Now, climb back in the ring and let Him finish what He started!

Jesus, Hanukkah & Christmas!

I love Christmas! From the time that I was a child, Christmas has always been my favorite season of the year. The lights, the carols, the presents and the intentional time spent with family and friends... all of it creates the perfect recipe for a wonderful season of celebration!

In recent years, though, many Christians have also begun discovering the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah and its meaning to the Christian faith. But where did Christmas acquire its meaning and significance from? Is December 25th truly the day that Jesus was born in Bethlehem? The Bible actually gives us a clear understanding to this question and offers a beautiful connection of Christmas and Hanukkah.

When was Jesus born?

Luke's account of Jesus' birth is one of the most read versions of the Christmas story in the Bible. However, despite its attention detail, there are a few overlooked and undervalued details in this chapter. One of these 'discoveries' is found in Luke where Luke intentionally tells us that Zachariah served in the Priestly Course of 'Abia' (Abijah - 1 Chronicles 24:10).

"There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth." Luke 1:5

The priesthood was divided into 24 different 'courses' for the sake of scheduling their times of service in the temple related to the weekly Sabbaths and annual Festivals. Luke intentionally mentions the 'priestly course' because it identifies Zachariah’s Levitical connection, which further identifies which festival is being celebrated in this passage. According to rabbinic historical record, the priestly course of Abia was scheduled to serve in the Temple during the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost), which typically occurs in the beginning of June. Then, Luke proceeds to inform us that while serving in the Temple at that Festival of Pentecost, Gabriel, the messenger angel of Heaven, appeared to Zachariah and promised a son (John) to he and his wife, Elisabeth.

Why is this story about John's birth so important to the birth of Jesus? Because the conception of John (the Baptist) is the anchor-point for identifying the timeframe for the birth of Jesus! 

Check this out...

The First Chapter of the Gospel of Luke tells us about Zachariah’s angelic encounter. But then the storyline immediately jumps to Gabriel's appearing to the young virgin girl, Mary, where he promised to her the birth the Christ-child named Jesus. After this shocking and intimate exchange between Gabriel and Mary, Luke goes on to give us another specific detail.

"And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her..." Luke 1:36

This detail calendars the fact that Elisabeth's conception was six months prior to Mary's immaculate conception. Because of Luke's attention to detail, we now have a timeline that reveals the season of the year when Jesus was born. Follow the progression...

• Elisabeth conceived John at the Festival of Pentecost - early June
• Mary conceived and then went to visit Elisabeth, who was already six months pregnant; placing Mary's conception six months later than Elisabeth's - December (Luke 1:36)
• Elisabeth birthed John at Passover (Pesach); which is in the Spring (March-April)
• Mary would then give birth six months after Elisabeth... placing Jesus' birth in the midst of the Fall Festivals (September-October)

NOTE: MANY more biblical and cultural facts support this timeline; i.e. Shepherds were visited by a host of angels while watching sheep in the fields (Luke 2:8-9), but sheep weren't tended in the fields after the month of October. Thus, a December birth wouldn't be accurate to the culture and seasons in Israel.

WHAT?! Jesus wasn't born in December? Are you serious?

After discovering the Scriptural account about the birth of Christ, many Christians have asked, "Then, why should Christians celebrate Christmas?" and "What does a Jewish Holiday (Hanukkah) have to do with me as a Believer in Jesus?" Here is my response....

As for my Christian home, we celebrate BOTH Christmas and Hanukkah and find them linked together in purpose. Christmas is our celebration of the holy conception of Jesus - the Light of the World - coming to the earth to save humanity from her sins. Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration of God's miraculous involvement in the sanctification and rededication of the Temple via the lighting of the Hanukkiah (9-branched candelabra).  Interestingly, Hanukkah is also referred to in Judaism as the "Festival of Lights."

As a Christian, these two celebrations - Christmas & Hanukkah - enjoy the most natural connection! For Christmas, I celebrate the arrival of Jesus, the Hope and Savior of the world (Christmas); for Hanukkah, I celebrate the sanctifying and rededicating of my life (temple - 1 Cor. 6:19) back to the True "Light of the World" (John 8:12).

We've been lighting Christmas lights and Hanukkah candles in my home for years... which has only proven to more deeply focus our attention and hearts towards Christ in this wonderful time of the year! ...maybe next year you will also consider lighting Christmas lights and Hanukkah candles in your home, too!

Happy (late) Hanukkah, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!