Stones of remembrance

Joshua 4:4-7,"So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and sied to them, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God in the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jrdan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. these stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.

This was a monumental time in the children of Israel's lives--it represented the day they crossed over to the promise land that God had intended for the previous generation, but because of doubt and unbelief they never entered the promise. In Joshua chapter 4 we see the children of Israel creating a monument to honor what God had done for them by stopping the flow of the Jordan to allow them to cross over unhindered. God called them to place a monument at their camp at Gilgal and one in the river behind them--I believe that these monuments represented the faithfulness of God both in the past, in the present, and in the future. Let's look at some principles found in "the stones of remembrance.

1. Their were two monuments in the water and at camp--representing God's faithfulness in making a way in our past and at camp representing what he will do in the future.
2. The reason for the monument was for the future generations--God is always thinking generationally and put the monument for the expressed purpose to serve as a sign to the children--Joshua 4:6," In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean'? tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off...a constant reminder that God is faithful to a thousand generations to those that serve him.
3. That we are to celebrate and ackowledge God's moving in our lives everytime he proves himself faithful.
4. These rocks serve as a sign for us to take time out of our busy lives and reflect on what God has done for us and where we have come from.
5. Remind our children who God is to us and how faithful he has been--this will stir up a desire in them to want to know our generational God.

Reflecting and thanking our faithful God,

Pastor Franko

Lead Like Jesus

I just started reading a book entitled "Lead like Jesus" by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges and am very stirred by what I've been reading. When you think about leadership what does it mean to you? Is it a position of power in which we can exert our influence over others? No, to me true leadership is being the ultimate servant. As I have grown as a minister I have come to realize the greater your position of leadership the greater your capacity to serve. Jesus said in Matthew 20:25-28,"Jesus called them together and said, "You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

We need to be "not so with you" people but people with a willingness to give ourselves to others and have a different motive in our leadership positions in order to see others fulfill their destinies. Real leaders have the other's best interest at the heart of what they do. Real leaders care.

The two words that can describe leadership in the realm of God's kingdom are found at the end of verse 28--Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. The verbs of true servant leadership are: serving and giving.

Remember if you are a true leader you will have followers. John Maxwell says it best, " He who thinks he leads but has no followers is merely taking a walk." If we will look to serve and give to others many will follow our example.

Here are some of my opinions of what makes a great servant\leader.

1. Leaders know whose they are therefore they know who they are.

2. They know their purpose and therefore are not easily derailed by the opinions of others.

3. They are people of vision and are able to convey it to others.

4. They display excellent character and have unshakable convictions and standards from which they will not sway.

5. They display excellence in every task given them--no matter how small.

6. They are humble and give glory to God in their successes in life.

7. They are passionate about their calling and about those on the "team" with them.

8. They are eternal optimists never conceding to what is happening externally.

9. They are men and women of faith--believing no matter what comes along.

10. They are great communicators--not just people who can speak well--but able to convey their passions to others.

Leading by serving,

Pastor Franko

Lagniappe

Being from south Louisiana we use the term "Lagniappe" which means "a little something extra" and is pronounced Lan-Yap. I am growing to live a life of Lagniappe. When I think of this term I think of Jesus' willingness to give. Jesus lived a life of Lagniappe--he was the ultimate giver. Jesus was exclusively a giver and not a taker--everything he did he did it with others in mind.

In life there are two categories of people: givers and takers. Givers are always on the lookout to help, encourage and bless others while takers are always on "the take" trying to manipulate, coerce and play others for the benefit of themselves. Basically, living their lives trying to "get over on people". I guess the best ways to describe givers and takers would be "selfless" vs. "selfish", "others minded" vs. "me minded".

The Bible tells us that Jesus became of "no reputation" and took on the "form of a servant". Why did he do this? for the sake of the world. For God so loved he gave. Let's become "Lagniappe" people willing to give and keep on giving, extra mile people, servant people, no reputation people.

If we live our lives this way we will not be able to keep the people out of our churches. Living our lives looking out for others and giving a "little something extra".

Lagniappe Living!

Pastor Franko