Here is Sunday’s message: LIVING PRAISE – Seeking God.

“You don’t determine a man’s greatness by his talent or wealth as the world does but rather by what it takes to discourage him”  Jerry Falwell

HT: Mike Linch

I read this great article this morning on Brian Dodd’s blog.  It is a great lesson on leadership that can be learned from our former President George W. Bush.  I see a sermon in nearly every line.

“How are you going to remember former President George W. Bush?  I think as time goes on history will be very kind to him.

With the release of his new book Decision Points, President Bush appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show this week.  The following are the amazing quotes from the man who will be known as the President that kept our country safe.

• “The peaceful transfer of power makes America a special place.”
• “I was honored to serve our country for eight years.”
• “I view politics as a chapter of my life.  Not my life.”
• “One of the sacrifices you make is loss of anonymity.”
• “I want our President to succeed.  I love our country.”
• “It was much harder to be the son of the President and watch my dad get criticized than to be President.”
• “If I would have allowed the critics to affect me during the presidency, I would not have done my job as a leader.”
• “Alcohol was crowding out my affections for my wife and my daughters.”
• “Alcohol at times made me a fool.”
• “My job was to protect the people.”
• “During a crisis the leader must project calm.”
• “I’m the Commander and Chief.  I want to be in Washington.”
• “I would not give the enemy the satisfaction of seeing the President of the United States holed up in a bunker underground.”
• “We had to find them and bring them to justice before they hurt us again.”
• “Everybody thought Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.”
   
• “Often times history judges you on the decisions you make but a lot times they don’t judge you on the decisions you don’t make.”
• “My decision (to go to combat) would weigh more heavily on me if I cared more about my political standing than completing the mission.”
• “I made a mistake.  I should have landed (in New Orleans).”
• “Katrina is an interesting case study of emergency management.”
• “I want to treat my successor the way I would want to have been treated.  There will be plenty of critics and he doesn’t need me criticizing him.  I don’t think it’s good for the presidency.”
• “I saw a problem with the mortgage market.”
• “If you make a bad decision in the marketplace you ought to fail.”
• “Serving as President is the honor of a lifetime.”
• “Don’t sell your soul for the sake of politics.  Have a set of principles.  Defend those principles no matter what it might cost you in the polls.”
• “One of my proudest accomplishments is that I didn’t sell my principles for the sake of popularity.”
• “If you chase popularity you’re chasing something for a fleeting moment.  Principles last forever.”

Do you agree with President Bush’s comments?  Let me know your thoughts.”

HT: Brian Dodd on Leadership

Another edition of Thoughts For The Journey. A 2-3 minute devotional that gives you things to ponder along the way. Today’s episode discusses accomplishing the impossible.

Today, Sonya and I celebrate 19 years of marriage. What an amazing journey it has been!  God gave me exactly what I needed in Sonya.  She has been an incredible part of not only our ministry but for me individually she has been a constant blessing.  God could not have given me a greater gift.

The other night as we were getting ready for bed, Hannah asks, “Dad, what color hair do rednecks have?” 

Me: “all different colors, honey.”

Hannah: Blue and green and yellow?

Me:  Depends on the redneck
Last week, we were walking into the hospital.  I had just told Hannah to stop doing something.  Without batting an eye she exclaims, “You’re a horrible father!”

I replied, “I know”.

Last night, while we were getting ready to go to sleep, Hannah was rubbing my hair.  She looked at me and said, “I’m loving on you Dad!”

I thought, “Okay, that makes up for the horrible father comment.”

In the aftermath of yesterday’s election, how do you feel?  Vindicated? Energized? Depressed? Frustrated?  We all have our own feelings about politics.  Whether we are Republican or Democrat, politics brings up emotions that stir our passions.

I read a thought provoking article this morning by blogger Chilly Chilton.  I thought I would share it with you:

“Well, the complexion of American politics has – once again – changed… with some, there’s rejoicing and with others there’s great disappointment. I, for one, am glad that the mud-slinging commercials will come to an end for a few months…

I pray that we can work harder, love unconditionally and rise beyond partisan lines to regain the vision of our forefathers who declared that we are “IN GOD WE TRUST“.

Here’s today’s provocations:

1. Are you happy, sad or indifferent with yesterday’s elections? Why?

2. What ONE issue has the most influence on your voting (abortion, healthcare, economy, social justice, etc)?

3. Can politics change (REINVENT) America? Explain.

4. Do you, honestly, pray for your elected leaders (National, State, Local – any/all parties) each day? What’s the heart of this prayer?”

HT: Chilly Chilton

I just did my civic duty and voted.  Every American needs to vote.  I am HOPING for CHANGE!