Coach Landry's Priorities

Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a business leader’s prayer breakfast in Dallas.  The keynote speaker was well-known author and motivational speaker Ken Blanchard. Many know Blanchard from his bestseller, The One Minute Manager. You may not know that Ken Blanchard became a Christian some years ago and is now an outspoken believer.

During his talk, Blanchard shared a great story regarding a conversation with Tom Landry some years ago. Blanchard asked Landry how he was able to keep his head while coaching all those years in the uncertain and volatile world of professional football. The legendary coach paused a second, thinking about his answer, and then responded. He explained that his secret was maintaining his priorities, God first, then his wife, then his children and finally his work. Then he added, because he lived by those priorities even if he lost on Sunday, he still had a lot left.

In Matthew 6:33 Christ taught us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Making God the priority of your life is much more than just going to church, it is making God the center of everything you do, including your work. When God created Adam, the first thing he did was to put him to work in the garden. We work for more that a paycheck, we work to fulfill a sacred calling.

This Sunday night we begin a six week study of the world of work. I think you will be pleasantly surprised to see how much the Bible says about work. Work does not have to be a drudgery of routine and boredom. God can transform our attitudes about our work.  He can help us see that our work is a sacred task and that we have a ministry to the people with work with.

Shoulder to Shoulder,

Gregg

Amazing Grace!

There is a new movie out that I highly recommend. The movie, titled Amazing Grace, tells the life story of a great champion for Christ, William Wilberforce.  Born in 1759 to a wealthy family, Wilberforce got away from his Christian roots during his college years at Cambridge. Influenced by others with low morals, he was caught up in a hedonistic lifestyle. In 1785 he experienced a spiritual encounter with Christ which he later described as a conversion experience. He resolved to commit his future life and work wholly to the service of God. He sought advice from John Newton, the author of the famed hymn Amazing Grace.  Though now a well-known pastor, Newton had been a slave trader before his salvation experience.

Wilberforce, a member of Parliament since the age of 21, believed that God wanted him to use his influence to end slavery in the British Empire.  In 1791, after almost five years of preparation, he introduced his first anti-slavery bill, aimed at ending the slave trade. The bill was overwhelmingly defeated, but Wilberforce was undeterred. He continued presenting bills each session of Parliament until both houses voted to ban the slave trade in 1807.  He now turned his attention to passing a law that would free all the slaves in the empire. Along with his work in Parliament, he helped found several abolitionist and missions organizations. Now ill and aging, Wilberforce made his final speech before Parliament in 1823, pleading for support of a bill outlawing the practice of slavery. He retired from Parliament the next year but continued his efforts to pass anti-slavery legislation.

He died on the morning of July 29, 1833. William Wilberforce was buried in Westminster Abbey on 3 August, 1833. The funeral was attended by many members from both Houses of Parliament, as well as many members of the public. One month later, Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act that gave all slaves in the British Empire their freedom. It had taken more than 40 years for Wilberforce to see his dream fulfilled.

The life of William Wilberforce serves as a great example for believers today. He chose to live on principle, doing the right thing, even when it was unpopular. He persevered, ultimately triumphing over his adversaries and winning the day. He chose a cause that was bigger than himself, a cause worth living and dying for. 

Galatians 6:9-10 reminds us, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” My friend in Christ, find a cause worth living and dying for, fight for it with all your might, persevere until the end. 

Shoulder to Shoulder,

Gregg

A Day in the Life of President Lincoln

For years I have admired President Abraham Lincoln. After reading several biographies of his life, I have a collection of some of my favorite Lincoln stores. In this season of thanksgiving, I thought I would share one with you.

The American Civil War took a heavy toll on the emotional and physical health of President Lincoln. Besides the many meetings with his cabinet and the military regarding the logistics of funding and fighting the war, Lincoln was constantly barraged by people asking for special favors.

At this time in history, it was thought that the people should have unfettered access to their president. As a result, Lincoln’s days, and sometimes evenings, were filled with appointments with people who wanted things. There were businessmen asking for government contracts, politicians asking for political favors or appointments, and many friends or family members of soldiers who were asking for special dispensations. Incredibly patient with all, the President sat and listened to each plea, promising to do what he could to oblige them.

On one particularly busy day, the President sat down to visit with a woman who had requested an appointment. He began the conversation with his obligatory, “What do you need from me?” She responded, “I don’t need anything from you, Mr. President. I cannot imagine the pressures you are under and the hardships you are enduring. I thought I might try to bring you a little relief and cheer. I have brought you some fresh baked cookies and wanted to say thank you for all you are doing for our country.”

Dumbfounded for a moment, the President arose to say, “Dear woman, words cannot express my appreciation for your thoughtfulness. For months I have sat here each day to hear request after request. You are the first person I can remember who has come to give me something, rather than ask me for something. Thank you for your kindness.”

The scripture commands us to “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!” Often we rush into the presence of God to ask for help or to meet a need, which He encourages us to do. How often do we come to Him just to say “thanks.” We teach and expect our children to say “thank you” when they receive a gift. Perhaps we should model a thankful heart for them as well.

Dear brother in Christ, in this season of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to lead your family to experience the true meaning of Thanksgiving. One of our family traditions as we sit down to Thanksgiving Dinner is to give each family member an opportunity to share what he or she is thankful for. As for me, I am thankful for so many things, including you and the privilege or serving as your pastor.

Shoulder to Shoulder,

Gregg