Leadership
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Tuesday, July 15th, 2025
“He got what is coming to him.” “It’s about time people found out!” “I hope they throw the book at him.”
Those are just typical phrases we hear when we hear of someone getting caught doing something illegal or just downright evil. I’m not excusing sinful behavior. The full weight of the law ought to be brought down on those doing illegal deeds, trafficking in sex trade, taking advantage of people with scams, abusing children, etc. What I AM concerned about is our attitude toward others. Take, for example, a Christian “celebrity” who falls. A recent scandal of a Christian musician has been the “talk of the town” and all sorts of scenarios have been painted as to what should happen to him. There are those saddened by the news of another Christian looked-up-to falling. There are those curiosity-seekers who search the internet for more juicy stuff to suckle on. And then, of course, there are those who gloat-believer and non-believer alike. I can’t speak for the non-believer. They have issues themselves they will have to answer for, like “What did you do with Jesus?” It is the believer’s response that raises flags for me. Without a doubt there are and will be those who relish the news of another Christian falling,whether it be this musician or that musician or another televangelist or some big name preacher.
Please understand: while I believe sin has its consequences, gloating over someone getting caught due to their sin should never be our reaction. Can you see God saying, “You rejected me when you were alive. What makes you think I am sad you are dead and lost”? I don’t. I see His heart breaking over the final destination of someone who rejected Him. I cannot and will not see him rubbing His hands together or clapping while saying, “Yes! Another one bites the dust and will spend eternity in the flames of hell.” The Bible says, “God is patient and wants all men everywhere to repent and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
When you hear of someone who falls, don’t gloat. Remember this: “Pride goes before the fall.” Instead, pray for that person. Take no pleasure in someone’s fall. Leave the media alone. Don’t go surfing to see how much dirt you can find. Be thankful for “There but for the grace of God go I.”
And who knows? You may have the opportunity to extend to someone something we all need: G.R.A.C.E.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Grace, Humility, Judgmentalism, Kindness, Leadership, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Positive/Negative Attitude, Reflection, Story
Monday, July 14th, 2025
900+ miles of driving. Two days of reconnecting with my brothers and their families. A time of relaxation with no agenda. A softball game. Two baseball games. A County Fair. Celebration of Life on Saturday. 90+ degree weather with 500% humidity (slight exaggeration). Time with my daughter, Janna, her friend, Mike, and my grandson. DQ Blizzard. Does it get any better than that? As you can tell it was a full but much needed week of basically doing nothing. The only “something” I did was cut my grass yesterday afternoon in 89 degree weather. Not the smartest thing I have ever done but after a week away and rain in the forecast (they were correct) and more predicted this week, I prefer to mow my lawn than a forest.
Today it is back to work. I have to admit, though, not only was it nice not having an agenda, but just getting away was what the doctor ordered. I am very conscientious about my work. I was taught a work ethic by my parents and also by mentors that work is a priority. Sadly, I have often taken that to the extreme and I would not classify myself as a workaholic (which my wife has at various times), I have put too much stock in my work and not taken the requisite time off. Every Friday is my day off and only in very rare cases (a funeral, for example) have I not taken that day for just me and Jo. For so many years I have served churches where I was the only one on staff so that changed what an occasional Friday looked like. I have tried to become very protective of Fridays. But, in my case, it is the other 6 days where I find myself a bit too wrapped up in. Up at 3:30, go the office to work on sermons, do office stuff, meet with staff, go to the Y at lunch time (I haven’t ridden my bike outside since my knee replacement), going all afternoon and sometimes (like tonight) heading to someone’s house to visit or teach. Rinse. Repeat.
I’m not bragging. I’m relating what many people fall into: “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done.” Or in my case: “I have this work ethic…” The danger, of course, for anyone with a working mindset is burnout. I have enough variable in my day-exercise, reading, eating meals with people, laughing a lot-to stave off that ugly monster. For a time. But as I found out this past week, I needed time away. Yes it was long and hot. And yes, it was lots of driving. But IT WAS DIFFERENT. And I needed different. I was talking with someone just the week before I left and he said, “I’d rather burnout than rust out.” There is some truth to that, but can I say, “How about neither?” I’m not an archer, but I have heard that to keep the string working properly you can’t keep the tension on it all the time.
Hmmm sounds like good advice.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Leadership, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Story, Work ethic
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025
I’d like to piggyback on my devotion from yesterday where I used Psalm 119. The Everyday Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp actually divided the reading of the psalm into two days: verses 1-88 and verses 89-176. As I read the Scripture for today and the corresponding devotion, I realized there was so much more to Psalm 119 than I was able to convey yesterday. Here are some further thoughts:
In my preparation for this Sunday’s sermon, I read that 169 of the 176 verses in this psalm make some reference to the Word of God. It uses words like laws, statutes, commandments, and others. One thing should become very clear as you read this chapter: until you know the importance of God’s Word and unless you are willing to take God at his Word all the rest won’t matter. As PDT states:
“God’s Word can reshape how you think and should guide every step you take.” (p.231)
One of the thoughts I expressed this past Sunday is that there seems to be a disconnect followers of Christ are guilty of: what we say we believe and the way we live. To carry that further: sometimes the disconnect is so strong that unbelievers cannot tell the difference between us and them. They hear “I am a Christian” or “I go to church” blah, blah, blah come from our lips but then see our lives being no different than theirs. We drink, we cuss, we tell the same dirty jokes/stories, we gossip, we lie, we cheat, etc and then we can’t help but see why people are in such disarray when it comes to faith. Way too often our lives are guided-not by Scripture, but by our culture or how we feel.
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (NLT) When you use a flashlight to light your way, you don’t shine it into the sky or even on your face. No, you shine it on the path you are walking. God’s Word is to be that light for our path. It is not so ethereal that it lights the sky, nor is it introspective that it only shines its light on us. As we walk the path of our daily walk, that Word is to be our guiding light. Knowing which direction to go or where to take my next step, God’s Word is to be the light on my path. His Word is to rearrange everything about me-my thoughts, my intentions, my actions-and it is to guide me into all truth.
Simply put: if I believe God’s Word (and I do), it will be expressed in the way I live my life. Drive a nail through that!
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Bible/Scripture, Christian Living, God's Word, Leadership, Lifestyle, Opinion, Quiet Time, Reflection, Scripture look, Truth Telling
Thursday, June 5th, 2025
Lance McCullers, Jr is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He has been unable to pitch for the past two years because of injury. I apologize that I cannot elaborate on that more since I heard of him but did not follow him. He has recently been in the news. He was able to start pitching again this season and has had a tough way to go his first 5 outings. (He won his first game in almost two years when he defeated my Pittsburgh Pirates by outpitching Pirate sensation, Paul Skenes). Let’s just say I am not happy about that!! 🙂
Anyway, he has been in the news recently because after losing his fifth straight game, he began receiving death threats. They were especially distressing because they were directed to his wife and two daughters. An adult can somewhat understand that, but how does one explain that to a daughter that there is someone angry enough to make threats against your life? Long story short they were able to track the threat to a man who was a drunken bettor from overseas and upset at losing money. Notice the two words: drunken bettor. They don’t go very well together and this time was one way it was proven. He has apologized to Lance and his family and asked forgiveness. Now…here come the gem of this story. When Lance heard of this man’s willingness to apologize face-to-face to him, Lance responded by saying, “As a follower of Christ, I’m called to love our neighbor and to forgive. I would be open to that, but for me, I’m just happy it’s behind us and thankful to everyone that was involved in this in keeping us safe.”
I highlighted the point I want to make. “As a follower of Christ.” Forgiveness is sometimes one of the hardest things we are called on to do as followers of Christ. Jesus addressed that by saying numerous times that as we have been forgiven we must also forgive. He was our perfect example and simply said to follow in His footsteps. He once told a parable with that point in mind about a slave thrown in prison. He begs to be forgiven and released so the king grants his request. He then goes out and finds a man who owes him much less, throws him and his family in prison, until the debt is paid. Does anyone else see the idiocy of those actions and expectation? The king finds out about it and confronts the man with the stupidity of his actions and throws the man and his family back into jail. (I bet that was a happy jail cell). The point of the parable is easy to see: as you have been forgiven, so you should forgive.
Even though Lance is a Houston Astro, I will be a fan because he followed Jesus’ actions. But please, Lance, don’t pitch so well against the Pirates next time!! 🙂
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Forgiveness, God's Plan, God's Word, Humility, Jesus, Leadership, Reflection, Story
Thursday, May 29th, 2025
I’m going to step a bit out of my comfort zone this morning. I’m going to suggest you join me in a month long search. Normally I post Living in the Shadow on LinkedIn as a daily devotion. But I’m even going to forego that today. Why? Because this is one of those ideas that only a seeking and searching Christ-follower can sense its importance or relevance. I have been preaching through the Bible in 2025 using the Everyday Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp as a reliable guide. Each Sunday’s sermon has been centered around the previous week’s daily devotional reading which, as you can imagine, requires that I read ahead. It also requires that I work ahead since I am not now, nor have ever been, a pastor who waits until that week to work the upcoming Sunday’s sermon. That gives me the shivers even as I write that. 🙂 So…on June 22nd my sermon is entitled What to Pray For. Not a real imaginative title, I know, but I’m at a loss to catch better clickbait. 🙂 Here are the three points (I normally do two) of the sermon:
A HEART THAT LONGS FOR GOD (42, 66-69)
A HEART THAT SEEKS PURITY (51)
A HEART THAT TRUSTS (62, 73)
The Scripture reading for that week (and for that Sunday) has been Psalm 40-77. Obviously I can’t preach on that whole passage, so I did what I have done all year: highlight and pick and choose. As I read those chapters and as I read the devotions I found the thread I wanted to focus on. The numbers in the parentheses above are the chapters I’m going to glean the sermon from. Psalm 40-77 focuses on the simple things- things we pray for and God is more than willing to answer.
So, here is my challenge: I’d like to ask you to join me in a month long adventure of praying these three yearnings each day. I have already begun doing so this week. I finished writing the sermon yesterday and my plan is to share on June 22nd how God answered my prayer. Will you join me by praying these three things each day for the next month? Whenever you have your daily Quiet Time (or Encounter Time as I call mine), ask God to grant you these three requests. Read the chapters and see if they convict you to start and continue this quest. I, obviously, have no idea how God will answer my prayer, but I am excited to see! Maybe keep a journal to record your thoughts and God’s work in your life.
Will you join me?
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Tags: Challenge, Christian Living, God's Word, Humility, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Tuesday, May 27th, 2025
Happy Tuesday! Or Happy Day After Memorial Day! I hope you had a relaxing Memorial Day and during your day took the time to be grateful for the men and women who have served our country and prayed for the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I tried something new yesterday. I texted every one of those who served in the military from the church and thanked them for their service. I’m not looking for a “WOW! That was fantastic!” I wanted to encourage those who served that they did not do it in vain and are not forgotten.
Every other month I read the book of Proverbs. I take the day of the month and read that chapter. Today, I read chapter 27 because…well…it is May 27th. 🙂 Rather than pontificate as though I’m an expert (I’m definitely not), I thought I would simply record some of the verses that stood out to me this morning and share them with you. I will then let you draw your own conclusions. Ready?
Verse 1: “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.”
Verse 2: “Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth-a stranger, not your own lips.”
Verse 6: “Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.”
Verse 9: “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”
Verse 10: “Never abandon a friend-either yours or your father’s.”
Verse 17: “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Verse 19: “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.”
Verse 23: “Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds.”
There you have it. I’m wondering two things: 1) which one stands out to you as most meaningful? and 2) was there any other verse that particularly reached your heart today? Have a great day as you get back “into the swing of things.”
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Friendship, God's Word, Humility, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Truth Telling, Words of Wisdom
Tuesday, May 20th, 2025
Celebrations are meant to be shared by all.
After a trip to Ohio that was uneventful getting there, we had a great time celebrating the graduation of our only grandson from high school. His current (and so far only) interest, Cameron, also graduated. We endured over 400+ students graduating and (sadly) very poor acoustics which did an injustice to all the speakers, to see him accomplish something which not too many years ago seemed so far out in the distance. After getting to share a meal on Saturday night at Roosters (his and my favorite when there) with Braden, Janna and Mike, and Mike’s son, Andrew (who graduates this coming Sunday), we had a very full Sunday afternoon and evening. It was in downtown Columbus and I am so glad Mike drove. He knew where he was going and it was nice to be along for the ride. After a Monday morning breakfast at IHOP with Braden and Cameron we headed back home around 9:15. Plans were to be home by 1:30 or so. That was until we got stuck in a 1-2 hour wait due to a wreck not quite 4 miles ahead of us. It took us almost 1-2 hours to go 4 miles or so, until I was able to get off the Interstate (due to it being closed completely) and get around the accident. All in all though, we made it home in 6 hours which is just 2 hours longer than normal. Jo and I went to the local ball fields to watch some of the kids play last night and when we got home we were beat. But it was one of those “good beats.” I slept almost until my alarm went off at 3:30.
For my reading this morning I was in Nehemiah. The people of Judah had made their way back to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon with the blessing of Cyrus, the king of the Medes-Persians. Ezra, the priest, was with the first wave. But the report of the devastation of the walls surrounding Jerusalem reached Nehemiah and he was so distraught that King Artaxerxes noticed it. Nehemiah petitioned for, and was granted, passage back to Jerusalem. There were those who intended to rain on Nehemiah’s parade, but one word from the king changed all that. Ezra brought spiritual reform; Nehemiah brought physical reform. In this case they went hand in hand. And along with Nehemiah’s work came both trouble (by outsiders), but also a celebration for being back and being able to rebuild the walls. While not all were happy and did not celebrate this milestone, Nehemiah did and he invited the people to do so.
I think it would behoove all of us to find things, events, and especially people, to celebrate. There is enough doom and gloom in the world without adding to someone’s angst. Praise and encourage others. Find the good in others and celebrate that. As Proverbs 20 says, “Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.” (V.15). It also says, “A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.” (v.19)
There you have it. “Celebrate good times come on!” (cue song). 🙂
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Celebration, Friendship, Graduation, Leadership, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Wednesday, May 14th, 2025
How many times have you heard “Pride goes before the fall”? A million. A zillion? If you have heard it only once you know it is very true.
I was struck this morning as I read the Scripture that was the focus of Everyday Gospel, reading how relevant that saying is. Here is what the Bible says: ‘“He (Uzziah) did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done. Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.” (2 Chronicles 26:4-5) Verse 15 says, “His fame spread far and wide, for the Lord gave him marvelous help, and he became very powerful.”
But then we hit verse 16 and the hammer falls:
But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.
When confronted by the priest, Azariah, King Uzziah raised the incense burner to strike him and when he did leprosy broke out on the forehead. He lived in isolation the rest of his life.
I hate reading those words “But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.” His success contributed to his demise. I don’t think I need to ask how many times we have seen this in our day and age. A CEO gets too big for his/her britches. An entitled executive has an agenda. (Does Bud Light ring a bell?) A pastor gets too pompous in his “empire” and with all the “yes” people around him, he has no checks and balances. Embezzlement. Misuse of funds. Sexual charges (of all kinds). An entitled athlete finds himself mired in scandal or not so high on the leader board as he/she once thought they were.
Tragic events happen when pride rears its ugly head. I’m not saying there isn’t a good type of pride. A young man did a fine job giving the communion meditation this past Sunday. Rightfully so, his parents could be proud of their 17 year old son. But even something as beautiful as that can be turned into a moment of ungodly pride by the father of lies.
Let’s keep our feet on the ground, our head out of the clouds, and our heart beating for the Master. Pride is ugly; humility, although much harder to maintain, is the key.
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Tags: Christian Living, Humility, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Pride, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Thursday, May 8th, 2025
Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer?” Well, probably not because they are usually talking about someone else and their inability to “get it.” So here is an honest confession: I know I’m not always the sharpest knife in the drawer. I can pawn it off these days to my age (72) or to my lack of knowing the “now” lingo of this current generation. For example, our youth pastor has just begun mentoring our part-time Children’s Ministry Director and has tasked her with “glowing up” a couple of the youth classrooms. Say what? What in the world is “glowing up?” By a process of elimination (including my mind) I figured out that it meant “to make the classroom come alive, to not be stodgy and cold.” Truthfully, it needs it, but “glowing it up?” (Rolling eyes emoji here).
But I digress. Let’s go back to my original statement: I am not always the sharpest knife in the drawer. There is usually someone smarter than me; someone (most often) more media savvy than me; someone more up-to-date and relevant than me.
But then I started thinking this morning: do I really care? I came to the conclusion, Nope I don’t care. What made me think about that this morning? I was reading 2 Chronicles 1 and Proverbs 8 this morning. The passage in Chronicles is where Solomon is taking over as ruler for his father, David, and in 1:7 God asks him, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” I seriously doubt I or many in this day and age would answer as Solomon did: “Give me wisdom and knowledge to lead them (the people as numerous as the dust of the earth-v.9) properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?” (v.10). God’s answer is classic: “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, or fame , or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people-I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested.” (verses 11-12) Oh…He also gave him wealth, riches, and fame. Sadly, Solomon couldn’t handle it.
I’ve always been impressed by Solomon’s answer and have wondered what I would ask for. I hope at this stage of my life and maturity I would still ask for wisdom and not say, “Live a comfortable life financially and be able to travel anywhere I want (which I don’t want to do anyway).” I hope I would still seek wisdom. Pr. 8:10-11 says, “Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.”
Okay, time for you to answer: what would you choose to ask for?
{Note: All Scripture from the New Living Translation}
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Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Knoweldge, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Wisdom
Tuesday, May 6th, 2025
Temptation to do something wrong is always “there.” So is the temptation to do something mischievous. I know you thinking, “Who me? Do something mischievous?” Yeah, I know what that’s like. I have those times too.
Something I read today about a teacher who lined her students up to go to lunch and they always jockeyed for the front of the line spurred my thinking. One day she switched it around and those in the back where the ones who went first. That got me to thinking about being snarky and mischievous. More mischievous than anything. You see…it is always a joke, especially in a church, how people jockey for the back row. I have one (Gail) who stands in a crowd all her own. She immediately goes to the front row. Like me, she knows distractions abound when you have others sitting in front of you. I prefer the front row. But I digress. Most people (except the really spiritual ones like Gail and me 🙂 ) head for the back rows. Now, here is where the little mischievous boy in me comes into play. I have been tempted-and so far I have resisted-to suddenly stand up to preach and change directions. Go to the back of the room and make people turn their chairs around. Can you imagine the moans and groans and the words reserved for Pastor Bill? It’s not possible to do that anymore since we have a camera set up in the back for our live stream, but oh…the fun I would have! Or the mutiny. Take your pick. 🙂
That teacher had to teach her class a lesson in “me first, you second” vs “you first, me second.” Jesus did the same. He once taught that the “one who wants to be first must be last.” There is something to be said and something that happens when we learn to put others before ourselves. When I was a kid I was taught J–O–Y– is Jesus first; Others second; Yourself last. In our get-ahead world, imagine the difference it would make if we all had this attitude. Others Before Self.
Jesus came to start a revolution (“I did not come to be served, but to serve.”). Maybe it is time we picked up on it.
And yes, I published this before Gail was able to put her .02 worth in. But I know Gail: she will forgive me. 🙂
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Humility, Jesus, Joy, Kindness, Leadership, Lifestyle, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection
