Why Won’t God Help Me? (Part 4: God Must Not Want Me)

(Photo credit: Robert Tewart)

It was one of those “real moments.”  This hardened, grizzled, macho guy was losing it and had nowhere to turn.  When I say losing it, I don’t mean a meltdown; he was too tough for that.  I mean he was losing his marriage, his kids, and if he wasn’t careful, his job.

When I asked about his faith, he physically winced and said, “God wouldn’t want anything to do with me.  I’ve done some things….”

I replied, “But God knows… and God loves you anyway.”  (How’s that for a macho reply?).

He replied, “I’m sure God knows.  That’s why God doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

My heart was heavy and hopeful at the same time: heavy because of this guy’s pain, but hopeful because at least he had an idea that there was a God who could see him.

How could I help this guy understand the depth of God’s love and the help that comes from a vibrant relationship with our Creator?  What would you say?

 

Why Won’t God Help Me? (Part 3 – I’m not _____ enough)

“I’m Clean” Bumper Stickers (Photo credit: The U.S. National Archives)

Nothing breaks my heart more than to see someone who has given up on God because of what I call “Fill-in-the-blank” theology.

“Fill-in-the-blank” theology is when people believe God won’t have anything to do with them because they’re not (fill in the blank) enough.  They’re not good enough… or smart enough… or beautiful enough, etc..

The cycle typically goes like this:

• awareness (that I’m not _____ enough),
• trying harder to be ______ enough
• falling short of their self-determined goal
• depression, apathy, and/or despair

Why does this break my heart so?  Because nothing in those blanks has anything to do with God’s love for us, and because God’s love (and help) are available especially to the broken-hearted and downtrodden.  But don’t take my word for it… see what God has to say about it:

 

Does Experience Kill Enthusiasm? A Leader’s Perspective

enthusiasm (Photo credit: glsims99)

I recently attended an annual conference for the denomination I serve.  During the opening session, one of the prayers was crafted to include a series of opposites, designed to cover everyone in leadership of churches and congregations, no doubt.  It included:

• Men and Women
• Young and Old
• Experienced and Enthusiastic

And I can’t tell you what else it included, because my mind stuck on that last point.

Is it impossible to be both experienced AND enthusiastic?  Or does experience kill enthusiasm?

 

Why Won’t God Help Me? (Part 2 – Faith)

(Photo credit: williamaturner)

Have you ever wondered, “How much faith is enough?”

Maybe you’ve seen well-meaning Christians tell others that the reason they aren’t getting what they want is that they don’t have enough faith.

Is that true?  Or do we add insult to injury by telling people they don’t have enough faith?

 

Love Your Employees as You Love Yourself!

(Photo credit: jpellgen)

Take a second to record your first reaction to this statement:

Your employee is 15 minutes late for a meeting.

What crossed your mind about this employee?  Was it generally positive or negative?

Now try the same exercise with this scenario: you’re 15 minutes late to a meeting.  What do you expect people to think about your tardiness?  Go!

If you’re like most people, there’s an underlying theory on display in these scenarios called “Attribution Theory.”  Being aware of it can not only make you a better boss, but it can build a better team.  Here’s how it works:

 

A Day Worth Remembering

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s memorial day.  In America, it’s a day set aside to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty.

For a holiday devoted to remembering, it can sure be easy to forget amidst the 3-day weekends, barbecues, and get-togethers.  We tend to forget:

• Some fought under grim conditions for years… the very best of their youth, before giving all
• There were no barbecues… no bands… no parades… and no holiday
• And those we honor will never be able to “get together” again

There’s so much more to this holiday than a 3-day weekend.  But how do we honor the fallen?  I offer one humble perspective on what to remember this Memorial Day:

 

Time(less) Management for the Busy Leader

Never before has the world had so many techniques and tools for time management.  We can schedule our days down to the nanosecond in multi-colored, multi-platform splendor.

But what happens to our time management systems when

• Someone has a crisis, and/or
• You have a window of opportunity to show Christ

Do you see these as interruptions, or opportunities?