J.R. Lee

Several years ago Devin and I went to England.  While we were there I decided to buy a souvenir.  Devin didn’t want me to, but I did it anyway.  It was Winston Churchill’s head.  I liked it for a while, then it became somewhat frightening so I sold it on Ebay to a bloke from Australia.  True Story.

Even though I sold his head – I think he was a great leader.  Read this quote:

“In every age there comes a time when a leader must come forward to meet the needs of the hour.  Therefore, there is no potential leader who does not have an opportunity to make a positive difference in society.  Tragically, there are times when a leader does not rise to the hour.”

In Malachi 1 the Priests are getting blasted for lackluster leadership.  In a complicated sacrificial system, the Priests had been allowing the people to bring their leftover, jacked-up animals to the temple instead of the award winning kind that were capable of winning a blue ribbon at the county fair (do they still have that stuff?).

The problem was that since the Priests were to be a type of standard bearer – their willingness to bend the rules caused the people to have a distorted perception of God.  2nd rate giving (our gifts to God reflect our attitude toward Him) became the norm and ignoring the issue was much more convenient than confronting the problem.

God didn’t take this lightly…¹⁴ “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great King.”

If He didn’t take it lightly – than neither should we.  God deserves our best – so whatever your bringing – bring your best.  He is a Great King!

Recently, I listened to a portion of a message that I had given in one of the first few weeks at Freedom Church.

It was NOT what I expected.  You ever done something in the past – remembered it being pretty darn good – and then realized that it wasn’t quite as good as you originally thought?  That’s how I felt the other day.

It freaked me out a little bit, but I told some people in the office that I hope this trend continues – in every area of my life.  I am a work in progress – not just in communication, but as a husband, father, Pastor, leader, and friend.   I want to continue getting better – which means I will have to get use to looking back and laughing at who I use to be.

I don’t mind changing – it’s staying the same that would scare me to death.

People use to say “don’t sacrifice your family on the altar of business, ministry.“  It’s a pretty common saying.  I am sure that statement came in response to a culture that greatly needed to hear it.

Now, the pendulum has swung to the other side.

The statement is still true, but most people need to hear it in reverse.  “Don’t sacrifice your business and/or ministry on the altar of family.“   It doesn’t matter how honorable it sounds, laziness is not a virtue – no matter how you try to disguise it.

I am going to be traveling this afternoon to Charlotte for THR3E.  It’s going to be a great event.

Pastor Steven and the crew from Elevation have already made a substantial investment in my life personally and in the life of Freedom Church.  I am grateful for the relationship we have with those guys and look forward to what God has in store over the next 24 hours.

Not to mention, it’s always fun traveling with Michael and Gary.    I foresee many interesting conversations in our future!