J.R. Lee

The 2012 Reading List is as follows. I think it’s a good mix.

1. EntreLeadership
2. Erasing Hell
3. Great by Choice
4. Unusually Excellent
5. Jesus + Nothing
6. Him We Proclaim
7. Jesus in the Present Tense
8. Gospel (Greear)
9. Getting Naked (Lencionni)
10. BuzzMarketing
11. Christian Beliefs
12. Surprised by Grace
13. Loving People
14. Barbarians to Beurocrats
15. 5 Temptations of a CEO
16. Switch
17. Bondage Breaker
18. The Reason for God
19. MoJo
20. When People are Big
21. OutSmart
22. Running on Empty
23. Cross Centered Life
24. Spirit Led Preaching
25. Today we are rich.
26. QBQ
27. Holiness by Grace
28. Credibility
29. Lord, Teach us to Pray (Murray)
30. Secret of Success in Christian Life (Moody)
31. Common Sense (Paine)
32. A Retrospect (Taylor)
33. Table Talk (Luther)
34. Divine Mentor
35. Grace Abounding (Bunyan)

I’ll leave about 5 slots open for books written by friends of mine and/or a new release.  Anything else you think I should add?

I was reading this book given to me by friend and fellow Pastor Ike Reighard and ran across this statement.

“Some people have greatness thrust upon them.  Few have excellence thrust upon them….They achieve it.  They do not achieve it unwittingly by doing what comes naturally and they don’t stumble into it in the course of amusing themselves.  All excellence involves discipline and tenacity of purpose.”  John Gardner

It’s not going to come easily.  It isn’t going to fall into your lap.  Live your purpose filled life for the glory of God and the good of others.  Only in that context will your life be one of excellence.

The arrival of a New Year brings with it so much potential for change. Potential for a new beginning.  Potential for a fresh start.   Most of us don’t need a few tweaks as much as we need a complete overhaul.  What we need is for God to make all things new!

Join us this Sunday at Barber Middle School at 9:45 or 11:30AM for this brand new series entitled All Things New.

Check out this teaser below!

There are times in my life when I am minding my own business and then have this overwhelming desire from God to walk away from a particular sin, pray about a specific need and/or a specific person.

It doesn’t happen all the time and when it does, it actually tends to leave as quickly as it came.

Sometimes it is simple and can be handled in a matter of moments.  Other times it is complex, is time consuming, and the “symptoms” can even appear to be very similar to that of depression.  Depression not because you don’t want to engage in the process but because the process (need) seems overwhelming.

In the Bible, when Nehemiah was burdened for his nation – God had already been working behind the scenes.  When Nehemiah asked the king for permission to leave for a season to rebuild, the king not only gave them permission but loaded them with supplies and an escort through dangerous land.  It’s evident that God had been preparing the kings heart for the request.

Here’s the good news for us.  Next time you are burdened with a particular need – instead of being overwhelmed – you can thank God for the fact that even though this might be new to you – God has already begun working.   We can move forward in faith and pray with confidence as a result of the fact that by giving us a burden, God is allowing us to pray for something that He is already working behind the scenes to answer!

When your life begins with your mom putting you in a basket and sending you down the river – you could definitely say that you hadn’t received the head start in life that many are looking for.

However, many years later, he now had the opportunity to make history by leading millions out of slavery.  This was the break he needed  – but then – reality sets in.  Rather than respond with enthusiasm – Moses went into a panic.

“God Who am I to attempt something so great?”  ”What will I say, what will I do, what if they don’t believe me?  Have you forgotten that I stutter and get nervous in front of people?  God PLEASE just send someone else!”   “I know I’ve wanted to change my past.  I know I’ve spent 40 years wishing there was something I could do about the injustice in Egypt – but are you telling me that you want to use ME to do it?’

It was in that moment that God addressed Moses’ insecurities head on.

Exodus 4:11 The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Moses this is a task I’ve designed for you.  I will use you to navigate the nation of Israel through this time in their history.  It’s not for anyone else – it’s for you!.  I have chosen you  – insecurities and all!  I am not looking for an all star. I am looking for someone ordinary to accomplish something extraordinary – so that my name will become famous in all the world!  This opportunity has nothing to do with how good you are, but everything to do with How great I am!  It’s not about your strengths or your insecurities.  Moses – ultimately – this is about me!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10   But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2012 is here!  New opportunities.  A fresh start.   Are you going to seize it or because of your insecurity, allow it to pass you by?  God’s placed you here for this moment in history! The story of your life is still being written!  God’s grace was sufficient for Moses. It is sufficient for you as well!