Welcome to the Truth@Life Blog Site by Curtis Songer


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There are 5 threads of thought in this blog site:
1. Church Stuff - things pertaining to the evangelical Christian Church of today
2. Leadership Corner - concepts on management & leadership
3. Two Becoming One - principles of marriage enrichment
4. Train Up a Child - principles of parenting
5. Personal Thoughts - my mental ramblings on how God is growing me

I highly recommend you find an entry on one of these topics that interests you and click on that label at the end of that entry. It will bring up all the entries on that particular category. And be sure to check out the great web site links in the lower right corner of this page - Enjoy!

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Profile in Leadership: Pharaoh – A Leader with Humility

“…there is no one as discerning and wise as you (Joseph). You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you” Genesis 41:39-40 The Pharaohs of ancient Egypt were not generally known for their humility. But one was – the Pharaoh who reigned during the time of Joseph. The Pharaoh who ruled Egypt at the time of Joseph showed remarkable wisdom and insight, as well as a heart receptive to truth. God strategically positioned this humble man as king over Egypt at a crucial time in world history. One night when nightmares awakened Pharaoh, he recognized something out of the ordinary was happening. As a strong leader, he acknowledged his sense of unease, but as a humble leader he enlisted the advice of others. He summoned Joseph who successfully interpreted his dreams. It took great wisdom and humility to designate Joseph as the point person and to give him the authority and resources necessary to survive the coming calamity. But he did it and the people followed his leadership, carefully storing grain during seven prophesied years of plenty. When the predicted hard times arrived, Pharaoh once more deferred to Joseph. The king of Egypt put himself and his people into the capable hands of this foreigner. If Pharaoh had been arrogant or intimidated by Joseph, millions would have starved. Instead Pharaoh listened carefully, empowered Joseph to act – and in so doing, insured his own legacy as an effective leader. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Your Body – an Instrument of Honor or Not

The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 Spiritual growth sometimes has to pass though physical territory. The physical body is so important that Christ’s body was raised from the dead, and one day our bodies will be resurrected too. The power of God works in and through our bodies today to enable us to accomplish His purposes. Yes, we have natural urges, and yes, our bodies aren’t perfect in this life, but they are vital instruments we can use to honor God and help others. Bodies that will one day be resurrected and glorified should be considered sacred, not used for immoral behavior. They’re too valuable for that. Our bodies are to be dedicated to God, to be used to honor Him in everything we do. In what ways are you using your body to honor God? In what ways are you failing to use it for that purpose? What are some choices you can make today to use your body more effectively for Christ? Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Friday, December 30, 2011

Leaders Earn Trust

Joseph found favor in his sight and served him. He made Joseph overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under Joseph’s authority. Genesis 39:4 The Bible describes some dark and difficult times in Joseph’s life. But it also reveals that every time he faced adversity, he used it to develop himself personally and to build trust with others. As a result, Joseph made one comeback after another and proved himself trustworthy as a leader. Here are a few examples of Joseph’s diligence: When he was sold into slavery, he developed competence and organization in the palace where he served. When he was framed as an adulterer and thrown into prison, he used his ability to discern dreams and solve problems. When he was forgotten in prison, he displayed the wisdom to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. When he saw seven years of famine coming, he prepared in advance to save the country and bring Pharaoh great wealth. When he faced the return of his treacherous brothers, he showed patience and integrity in dealing with others. Leadership operates on the basis of trust. Joseph built trust in times of adversity by regularly displaying his competence and character in his connections with others. Consequently, he was able to follow each setback in his life with a comeback. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

True Friendship

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 Has it ever seemed as though the world was crashing down around you? And as a result, have you ever gotten frustrated, cranky, and a little difficult for others to be around you? During times like these, we often find out who are true friends are – those who stick by us during times of adversity, even though we might not be the most pleasant person to hang with. All significant relationships are tested by disputes and difficulties. It’s easy to walk away when friends no longer give as much as they take. But a true friend moves toward someone who is hurting. He or she provides stability when life is out of control and a listening ear when no one else wants to understand. This may surprise you, but a true does NOT jump in to fix problems. He or she offers advice sparingly, unless the assistance is asked for. We all want friends like this. To have a friend who cares about us during difficult times, we need to be this kind of friend. Who needs you to be this kind of friend today? What will you do to show support? Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day – Part 2

Joseph said to his brothers, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people.” Genesis 50:19-20 Every effective leader needs time to develop, but time alone cannot make someone an effective leader. Some individuals never work at growth. Fortunately, for the children of Israel, Joseph’s difficulties and trials taught him valuable lessons and he began to grow in his leadership skills. As we read in Genesis 37 – 50, he grew in his journey from the pit to the palace. But it was 23 years after his God-given vision before he saw it fulfilled. At the end, Joseph realized that God had directed the process of his leadership development, and that he had been groomed for a much greater purpose than he had ever imagined as a cocky teenager. Let’s review the process Joseph went through in his leadership development: Phase 1 - I don’t know what I don’t know. Everyone starts out in a state of ignorance. Like Joseph, we sometimes say and do things without understanding the interpersonal issues involved. Phase 2 - I know what I don’t know. Something gets our attention. For Joseph, it was a series of trials and difficulties. We come to understand that leadership is difficult and carries with it a huge weight of responsibility. The process of difficulties and trials molds our character, granting us both patience and humility. Eventually, we recognize God as the source of blessing and power. Phase 3 – I know and grow and it starts to show. Leaders who show great skill when opportunities arise, do so only because they’ve paid the price of preparation. Wisdom and discernment are demonstrated and promotion is a likely consequence. Phase 4 – I simply go because of what I know. Leaders develop and execute plans with wisdom and precision. They are aware of the circumstance around them and react by course correcting plans as necessary due to their wisdom, discernment, experience, and open communication channels to God and other godly advisors. From the outside, a leader in phase 4 seems to operate quite naturally. By the time his father died, Joseph had become a Phase 4 leader. He had learned to see things from God’s perspective. Joseph could see God’s hand over all the years of his life. He understood the Lord’s long-term plan for His people, a plan that Joseph helped fulfill by growing into the leader God desired him to be. How about you? Are you growing into the leader that God desires you to be? How do you fit into the Lord’s long-term plan? I can help you answer these questions. Contact me via the email address below or visit my website at http://truthatlife.com/ Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Why Did Jesus Choose to Come When He Did?

When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:3-5 Why did Jesus choose to come when He did? Why not now? Wouldn’t it have been nice if He had chosen to come in our lifetime so we could have seen His miracles firsthand? Why did He appear at the precise moment and place that He did? While we don’t know the mind of God, there are 3 factors that clearly stand out when we look at the vast sweep of history. These 3 factors were in place for the first time, at the point in history when Jesus appeared: First is communication. Until the Roman Empire conquered virtually all the known world, people existed in local tribes and roaming bands of hunter-gatherers. Rome stamped its image on every culture under its banner. Consequently, two languages, Latin and Greek, became the common languages of the empire. Second is unprecedented peace. Rome’s military victories were won because the Romans had superior armor, weapons, tactics, and leaders. As new lands were conquered, fighting ceased and peace spread throughout the land. Third is transportation. Trade and commerce thrived in the Roman Empire, at least partly because the Romans built the most extensive and finest transportation system the world had ever seen – or would see for the next 1500 years. Roman roads are still in use today in parts of the ancient empire. So Christ came, lived, died, and rose again at a time and place where the gospel message could explode across miles and cultures to every person. He could have come at any time, but from a historical point of view, few other previous periods offered as many advantages for the spread of the gospel message. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day – Part 1

So Joseph told his dream to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down before you?” Genesis 37:10 Becoming a leader is a lot like investing in the stock market. If you hope to make a fortune in a day, you’re doomed. It’s what you do day by day, over the long haul, that matters most. If you continually develop your leadership, letting your “assets” compound over time, the inevitable result is growth. Although some individuals have greater natural gifts than others, nearly all the skills of leadership can be learned and improved. But that process doesn’t happen overnight. Leadership has so many facets: respect, experience, emotional intelligence, people skills, discipline, vision, momentum, timing – the list is a long one. That’s why leaders require so much seasoning to be effective. The good news is that you can grow in your ability to lead. Regardless of your starting point, you can improve. As we see in Scripture, Joseph, one of the greatest leaders of all time, started out as a very cocky kid, far too arrogant for his own good. One of 12 boys, he didn’t think it was enough to be his father’s favorite, the child who received special treatment. He had to rub it in the faces of his siblings. When God gave Joseph a dream revealing that he would one day lead his family – his bothers and his parents – Joseph bragged about it to everyone. His father rebuked him, his brothers sought revenge, and they got it. In this early stage of his life, Joseph didn’t know how to skillfully work with others. He lacked experience, wisdom, and humility – three qualities typically only gained with the passage of time. In part 2 of this blog, I will show how time and experience contributed to the development of Joseph’s leadership skills and can contribute to the development of yours as well. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Monday, December 26, 2011

A Tribute to My Dad & The Difference He Has Made

To my dad, who passed away at 1pm EST on December 24th: Dad, all too often we do not pause to tell those we love what we appreciate most about them. This tribute attempts to explain how you have taught me so many things through your life and your words, and how these values will impact my children and hopefully many generations to come. I remember Cedar Lake and a 24” rainbow trout you caught late one evening after a long day of fishing. You taught me the value of patience. You taught me perseverance and persistence while hunting for grouse in the backwoods of places like Colville and Kettle Falls, not to mention elk hunting in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains during cold November snows. You taught me to be industrious and to avoid laziness as I watched you working around the house: planting, weeding, and harvesting your garden, building the garage, digging a swimming pool, constructing a fishpond, and building another exit from our basement. These and other activities like painting the house, changing the oil in the Galaxy 500, putting on snow tires, and giving the Bronco a much needed tune-up helped to prepare me for life with basic home maintenance skills. Also, as I watched you arrange your tools in the garage, you taught me organizational skills, which I use in my work to this very day. You showed me resourcefulness, inventiveness, and creativity as I watched you repair washers and dryers and almost anything that broke down around our home. In this way, you also modeled being thrifty and being a good steward by teaching me the value of making things last - not throwing them away while they still had a useful life. As I helped you fix up the lake cabin (putting in indoor plumbing, remodeling the kitchen, and constructing the pump house) you taught me the importance of self-discipline and delayed gratification – learning to wait for the greater reward. But you were not all work either. You taught me the value of having fun as we panned for gold in Sheep Creek, explored old ghost towns of the great Northwest, took driving vacations to Oklahoma (especially the one down the coast of California), watched “Gun Smoke” & “Bonanza” over TV dinners, made Saturday morning grocery runs and trips to the Wonder Bread store, went on our annual outing to the Ice Capades at Christmas time (even though you hated crowds), joined the IOF Forester rifle team at the armory, and cheered wildly during New Years Day football games. Your preparation for camping, fishing, and hunting helped to teach me the importance of always being prepared for anything that might come your way – something I really appreciated when I went on my winter survival campout with the Boy Scouts. You also taught me the significance of leaving a place better than you found it. And as I’ve grown I’ve learned both of these principals apply to relationships as well as campgrounds. You showed me the commitment and dedication you had to our family as you switched to the day shift so I could see you when you got home. How I appreciated that. You were a fine protector and provider – for your family as well as your animals. You always made sure we were well cared for and had all of our needs fulfilled, even if it meant that you went without. In this way, you taught me the value of servant-leadership. You were trustworthy and dependable, as was demonstrated in your punctuality (I never really remember you being late). You were reliable, you always seemed to make good on your word. You were an honest man, well respected in the community. You taught me the value of the truth. You also taught me the importance of lending a helping hand to those in need as I watched you help the neighbors by shoveling their snow, mowing their lawns, watering their flowers, and watching their homes while they were away on vacation. But your helpfulness to others did not come before your family. You were always available to help me with school projects. I’ll never forget my papier-mache volcano, or my electro-magnetic motor, or my see-through graph paper for scaling map drawings. Perhaps there are three values you taught me that I treasure above all else. First, you taught me to believe in myself and to believe in the good in others. You taught me that I could be anything I wanted to be, if I would just apply myself. You believed in me. All you asked is that I always do my best in whatever I did; that always I give it my very best effort. Second, you taught me unconditional love. No matter what I did, I knew I could always come home, that I was welcome and loved there. And even though you might not have agreed with the timing and circumstances surrounding my decision to get married, you accepted Martha like she was your own child. You never once made her feel anything but unconditional love and acceptance. Third, you helped to instill within me a steadfast faith in God. Although you were not a church-going man, you always made sure I was there whenever the church doors were open and you encouraged me to be active in my Christian life. It has now become apparent to me that the older I get, the wiser you become. Not that you were not wise all along, quite the contrary. I simply appreciate your very practical wisdom more every year. I have many other enjoyable memories of growing up as a member of the Songer family at West 604 Barnes Road, but there is not enough room to even begin to list them all here. So I have chosen only those that seemed to impact my character the most. As you can plainly see dad, you really have made a difference in my life. Any success that I enjoy in life I owe, in large part, to you and your faithfulness to bring me up “in the way I should go”. I hope I pass on to my children the many values you have built into my life. I love you, dad. Comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Final Update on Dad’s Health

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 Dad passed away today about 1pm EST. No particular cause other than old age (he was 95). He was a great man and will be sorely missed by many. He lived a long and rich life and had a positive impact on many others. He knew Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and so he is at peace now, rejoicing in the presence of God. Our loss is heaven’s gain. The funeral will be held in Norman, OK sometime during the first two weeks of January. More to come on this man’s incredible life and his memorial service in Norman. You can contact me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Friday, December 23, 2011

Update on Dad - Day 16

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 My dad is likely in his final days. No one thing to blame, just all his systems are in the process of shutting down from old age (he is 95). He has moved from the hospital to a nearby hospice house where he is comfortable, well cared for, and we can be with him a lot. No way to know for sure, but we will likely be having his funeral within a couple weeks. He resting peacefully. You can contact me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Joseph: Using His Intuition – He Takes Effective Action in Times of Crisis

The Lord was with Joseph and he was a successful man. Genesis 39: 2 Joseph was a man familiar with trials and difficulties. He was outcast by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, thrown in prison, and managed a nation through seven years of severe famine. But problems never paralyze great leaders; they know that solutions do exist. Scriptures show us that joseph accomplished much in his life, and was greatly blessed, because he had: (1) A significant vision from God. As a youth, Joseph knew God had something special in mind for him. (2) A vital; relationship with God. Scriptures tell us that the Lord was with Joseph. (3) A strong character developed through difficulties. With each new trial, Joseph grew stronger. (4) Practical experience gained through life. Joseph grew in ability and experience when he took charge of the prison. (5) A special giftedness from God. Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams enabled him to make a difference in many lives. (6) A unique blessing from God. Four times in the Bible it expresses God’s blessing of Joseph with some version of, “whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.” Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

God is Not a Mean School Teacher

God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17 Some of us have an image of God as the meanest school teacher we’ve ever met, someone who demands perfection and delights in punishing us when we don’t measure up to the standard. We live with the faint hope that this time we’ll do better, but in our hearts, we’re sure we’ll fail and get blasted again. Jesus shattered that false image of God. The Scriptures show us that His heart, His delight, His passion was to impart the love of God to every person in the planet. Jesus love for people wasn’t just a sentimental feeling. He healed, He taught, He loved, he included those that no one else was interested in. He took initiative and action to connect with people, touch them physically and spiritually, and make a difference in their lives. He was not at all a mean school teacher. Rather, He is the most loving parent and dearest friend anyone can ever have. We may not understand how God could love us so much that 2000 years before we were born He sent His son into the world to die on the cross for the sins we were going to commit. But just because we don’t understand that love doesn’t mean we can’t accept it. Do you still see God as harsh and condemning? Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Jacob & Esau: Leaders Broken Before Blessed

Esau ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept Genesis 33:4 Remember the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis? In my earlier blogs I described how Jacob had “stolen” Esau’s birthright. Actually, Easu – being the short sighted leader that he was - foolishly gave it up, lacking vision and desiring immediate gratification. The two brothers split on very bad terms, Esau implying he would kill his brother the next time the two met. Now, in Genesis 32 & 33 we find the two of them headed on a collision course, each one unsure of the other’s intentions. It’s the night before the reunion and Jacob meets with the angel of God and the two of them wrestle – both physically and emotionally. Jacob turned a crucial corner the night he wrestled with the angel of God. He broke physically when the angel dislocated his hip, but he also broke emotionally. From that moment on, Jacob began to fulfill his God-ordained destiny. All leaders, like Jacob, must “wrestle” with God in order to receive His blessing. God blessed Jacob because: (1) Jacob was alone with God – all distractions had been removed. (2) Jacob was hungry for God – he desperately wanted to receive what God had for him. (3) Jacob was broken by God – he allowed God to break him and change him. (4) Jacob was honest with God – he stopped pretending in order to let God work in his life. The result? At the reunion of Jacob and Esau, Jacob was terrified and took precautions to save his family if he were killed. Yet much to his surprise, when Easu ran to his brother, he embraced him and wept – forgiving Jacob for everything. His commitment and love for his brother overwhelmed his thirst for revenge. Have you prevailed with God in this way? Leaders cannot do anything of significance and lasting value until they humble themselves before God and seek His face. You must be broken in order to be blessed! Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Believing is Not Seeing

We walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Our confidence in God’s promises must be the product of faith in His trustworthiness to fulfill His promises, not visual observation. We live by our five senses in this world. Every interaction, every activity, and every meal comes through our God-given sensory organs. But spiritual life is different. It operates in the unseen realms and is based on faith, not feelings. It’s focused on God’s promises, not tangible things. Therefore, spiritual growth comes as we pay attention to the Holy spirit’s activity reminding us that God’s promises are true and that we can trust Him to do whatever He says He will do. As we grow in our faith, we gradually become more aware of the presence of an unseen world that is just as real as what we can touch, taste, smell, hear, and see. Sight is not faith and neither is feeling faith; but believing when we neither see, hear, nor feel is faith, and everywhere the Bible tells us that our salvation is to be based on faith. Therefore, we must believe before we can feel and often even against our feelings, if we are to honor God by our faith. How much do you need to see to believe? Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Monday, December 19, 2011

Jacob: A Man of Influence

Jacob said to his father, “…please arise, sit, and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” Genesis 27:19 Influence can be either positive or negative. The Bible tells us that Jacob “influenced” the birthright away from his brother, Esau, the oldest son. A little later, his mother Rebekah helped Jacob to “influence” the firstborn blessing out of his father. It took influence to bring both events to pass. A person can wield influence in many ways. Consider the following seven methods, beginning with the worst: (1) Force – the use of physical strength to influence others. (2) Intimidation – bullying others verbally or emotionally to get them to act against their will. (3) Manipulation – coercing others to act, sometimes against their will, for selfish motives and/or personal gain. (4) Exchange – giving something in order to receive from others – I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine. (5) Persuasion – the use of verbal skills to move someone to action. (6) Motivation – energizing others so they want to act. (6) Honor – communicating esteem to others by serving them, thus inspiring them to act. When you want to “influence” someone, what method(s) do you use? Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Trust = More Than Conquerors

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:35,37 Our interpretation of difficulties determines our response to them. If we believe that we deserve that God give us a smooth, relatively pain-free life, always on the upward path of greater success, we’ll be devastated and shocked when we experience trouble. Unrealistic expectations inevitably lead to resentment, and soon, our hearts grow cold toward God. Following Christ in this world sometimes includes genuine suffering. So don’t be surprised when you encounter problems, and don’t forget God’s presence and love either. Nothing can separate us from the personal attention and deep love of Christ. During tough times, Christ’s compassion only intensifies. Difficulties don’t mean that God doesn’t care. Trust in His wisdom to guide you, His presence to comfort you, and His strength to support you. If you do, then instead of barely making it, you will become “more than conquerors”. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Esau: A Man with Faulty Vision for the Future

Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that … stew, for I am weary.” But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die, so what (use) is this birthright to me?” Genesis 25:30-32 In the eyes of man, Isaac and Rebekah’s firstborn son, Esau, had many natural leadership skills. But he lived so completely in the present, depending solely on his own strength and resources, that he repeatedly failed to clearly see the future. Esau succumbed to many of the types of temptations that still entice leaders today: (1) He focused solely on the here and now, not concerned about what tomorrow might bring. (2) He relied on his natural gifts and on his birth order rather than on God’s plan. (3) His shortsightedness prompted him to give up the long term reward for immediate gratification. (4) Favored by his father, he thought that love would bail out of any poor decision he might make. (5) His limited vision caused him to make a poor choice in marriage, consequently grieving his parents. (6) His clouded vision blinded him from the deception of his brother, Jacob. Today we remember Esau as a self-centered man with faulty vision. In the Bible it tells us to examine ourselves, “lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.” Is there any area of your life where you are exchanging the long-term plan of God for self-centered immediate gratification? Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Time to Get Away & Think

I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Psalm 63:2 Where is your place to get away together? Maybe it's a certain chair in a quiet corner of your home. Maybe it's the back deck at sunrise or under the porch light after dark, with only the rhythmic hum of the crickets to disrupt your quiet. Maybe it's a nearby creek or a nice place to walk or jog. Maybe it's a garage workshop or a cozy cafe. Or maybe it's nowhere. Maybe this just doesn’t happen for the two of you very often. One of Martha and my favorite times to talk is when we go on walks together early in the morning. With six kids you have to make an effort to get away – and it doesn’t happen as regularly as we would like! It's simply one of our ways to get away from the needs of other people. You know, the phone and email and all the other interruptions. We may share something we've been thinking about. We may dial up a sweet memory. We may talk about the needs of the kids, or we may just walk along glad to be together. If there's one reason why marriages wither under the pressures and demands of daily life, it may be the lack of having regular times and places where we deliberately go to pray, share and regain perspective. It may be because we're always puttering and planning and doing and moving from one place to the next but never stopping or listening or recharging - together. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

God Waits for Us in the Darkness

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:20-21 Times of darkness come to all of us. We may experience tragic, inexplicable loss; confusion; failure; rejection; or for some of us, spiritual emptiness. Our response in these moments often is the result of our previous encounters with God. If we have developed trust in God in the light, we’ll embrace Him in the darkness, and in fact, we’ll even embrace the darkness as His path for us. Moses watched God perform some incredible miracles – in good times and bad. All these convinced him that God was trustworthy no matter what the circumstances he faced. His faith in God was so strong that when the people backed away from the darkness, Moses moved toward it. He was convinced that God was there, and he wanted to connect with Him. When we experience darkness, we’ll back away if our faith is weak, but we’ll move into it if our faith has been strengthened by years of experience in seeing God’s faithfulness, grace, and power. What can you do to strengthen your faith so that you move toward God in times of darkness? Try documenting examples of His past faithfulness in your life. Also, pray for greater faith and for forgiveness for your lack of faith. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Profiles in Leadership: Jacob – Leaders Must Be Broken to Be Used

He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God, and with men, and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28 Even naturally gifted leaders don’t always have it easy. Sometimes leaders gifted with tremendous abilities can have a very difficult time, especially with issues of character. That was true for Jacob. From the very beginning he wielded great influence. No matter where he went or what he did, he stirred things up. He captured the heart of his mother and the birthright of his brother. He had a similarly disruptive impact in the house of Laban. Over time, his leadership created great prosperity. And it was his sons who founded the 12 tribes of the Hebrew nation. Wealthy, strong, influential, and blessed with a large family, Jacob seemed to have everything. But a leader who goes his own way and seeks to benefit only himself cannot be an effective instrument in God’s hands. God had to break Jacob to make him useful. In the breaking process, Jacob the deceiver became Israel, a leader with who purposed to serve God rather than himself. Natural leaders often need to be broken. Consider your natural ability to lead a gift from God, and your character a gift you present back to God. Every time you stand up under the weight of adversity, you are being prepared to better serve God and lead people. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

A Second Start

So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:3-4 The Bible documents a rich history of God not giving up on us when we fail. The list of men and women who started over is almost endless. Jeremiah gives us an image of God as the potter and us as the clay. God works diligently to form us and to transform us into useful, beautiful vessels, but sometimes things don’t work out. It’s not the potter’s fault; a flaw in the clay causes the problem. But God doesn’t wad us up into a ball and throw us away. He lovingly starts over, eliminating the flaws as He goes. The process of producing a beautiful pot isn’t fast. The potter takes time, carefully crafting the clay into shape for its intended use. In the same way, when God starts over with us, we may not become instantly useful. It takes time and the skill of the potter to shape us. Sooner or later, though, we’ll be useful again. Be patient and let the potter do His work in your life. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Trials and Tests Precede Promotion

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love – Isaac - and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:2 God provides tests as measures of progress and as proving grounds for every person He calls to lead. Genesis 22 begins with a divine test. God called Abraham to climb Mount Moriah and sacrifice his beloved son. Not only was this his son whom he loved, but he was also the son through whom God’s promises to Abraham were to be fulfilled. If Abraham would resolve to give up Isaac, God knew Abraham would be willing to do anything He asked of him. Therefore, he would be the perfect candidate to become the father of the Hebrew people. Leadership tests differ from one another, but all have the following five points in common: (1) Leaders get tested at each stage of growth. (2) The leader’s goal is to pass the test. (3) Testing always precedes promotion. (4) Promotion requires sacrifice. (5) Self-promotion or promotion by others can never replace divine promotion. In addition, Abraham’s test foreshadowed what God intended to do with His own Son, Jesus Christ, thousands of years later. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Monday, December 12, 2011

Update on Dad - Day 5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 Dad continues to improve and is finally resting comfortably. However, he continues to refuse to eat or drink. At the present rate, by the time he is released he will probably have been in the hospital 7-10 days, which is really hard on a man his age (95). It may mean he is basically bed-ridden for the rest of his days. Too early to tell. I’ll continue to keep you informed, but likely won’t know anything additional for at least a couple more days. Please keep us in your prayers. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Update on Dad - Day 3

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 From my previous blog, you may remember that Thursday afternoon dad started having trouble breathing, he developed a fever, as well as other symptoms I won’t go into. He had to be rushed to the hospital. His condition has since stabilized and the doctors say he is improving, but not "out of the woods" yet. He is still on strong antibiotics and he is not fully aware of his condition nor his surroundings. Right now, he refuses to eat or drink - that's a problem, so please pray that situation changes. I’ll continue to keep you informed, but likely won’t know anything additional for at least a couple more days. Thanks again for your prayers. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Friday, December 9, 2011

Abraham – A Leader who Negotiated

Then Abraham said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And God said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” Genesis 18:32 In Genesis 18 Abraham does something incredible. He argues with his ‘boss’. When God revealed that He planned to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham confronted God knowing that members of his family lived there and believing that God would never destroy righteous citizens. So he took a stand as all good leaders are able to do, and negotiated how many people it would take for God to withhold His punishment. Abraham wasn’t afraid to use his resolve and insight to insure the safety of his people. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

While You're Waiting... to be Used

The Lord chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd … His people, and … His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. Psalm 78:70-72 King David was one of the most gifted leaders that world has ever known. Over the course of his reign he was known for his bravery, his battle strategy, and for unifying the kingdom with his diplomatic skill. But as we look back to his younger years, we find that his leadership skills and character were shaped during years of obscurity on the hillsides tending sheep. During those seemingly empty years, how many times did David wonder if his life would ever amount to anything? Day after day and night after night he paid attention to the task before him. He led the sheep to better pasture and fresh water, and he killed and lion and a bear that attacked them. Alone with his thoughts he prayed, reflected, and developed literary skills as he wrote his prayers to God. When the time came for David to act to rescue Israel from Goliath and the Philistines, his heart was strong and his hands had been trained. He was ready. Some of us find ourselves living and serving in obscurity. Many of our friends and colleagues have passed us up, and we’re tempted to feel abandoned and quit trying. David’s example helps us to stay in the game, and to sharpen our skills and strengthen our hearts so we’re ready when the time comes to act. Are you ready? Will you be ready? What are some things you can do to sharpen your skills and strengthen your heart right now. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Incredible Generosity

For they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had. Luke 21:4 A friend of mine shared with me the following true story of a really generous giver... Christian financial expert Ron Blue and his oldest son ate breakfast together on a regular basis at a local fast-food restaurant. The same place, every week. And each time they went, the same Hispanic woman would wait on them at the counter, always greeting them with a warm smile and a radiant spirit. The weeks turned into years until one day, spurred by a passing thought of pure generosity, Ron decided to do something unusual in the fast-food world. He decided to give her a tip. Twenty dollars seemed amply big-hearted, but when he reached into his billfold, he sensed the Holy Spirit instructing him to do more. So he put together five twenties, folded them over, and asked the waitress if she would be willing to accept it. She did. But that's not the big story I'm talking about. This woman was a single mom with five kids. She had immigrated to America to provide new opportunities for her family and was working a fast-food counter to keep basic necessities on the table. When Ron gave her the money, she knew immediately what to do with it. Her car needed a new set of tires, and she figured a hundred dollars would probably cover it. But when she arrived home that night, one of her high-school children told her about a fire at an apartment building nearby, where several of their friends had suffered substantial losses. As the woman told Ron several weeks later, "I knew there was a better use for that hundred dollars. We gave it to a family that had lost everything." One word: incredible. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Traits of Impatient and Insecure Leaders

Sarah said to Abraham, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please go into my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” Genesis 16:2 Impatient and Insecure leaders have the following traits: (1) Believe God is inattentive, absent, or even against them. (2) Allow their circumstances to determine their understanding of God’s character. (3) See life through a perspective of scarcity rather than abundance. (4) Become self-seeking and manipulative. (5) Feel intimidated and deal with others through intimidation. (6) Resent the success of others and angrily turn on them. (7) Think that if one person succeeds, someone must lose. (8) Blame others for their dilemmas. (9) See themselves as martyrs. (10) Conclude that attempts at control seem more logical than trusting God. Impatient & insecure leaders need to learn what Sarah discovered: God always keeps His promises, but in His time and in His way. Do you identify with Sarah? Do you struggle with a desire to control problems rather than doing things God’s way? If so, ask God to reveal how He would have you deal with your problems in a way that honors Him. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

The Importance of Goals

People who have direction in the lives (specific goals) go further and faster and get more done in all areas of their lives. Read more at... http://truthatlife.com/

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Profiles in Leadership: Sarah was Impatient & Insecure…and a Control Freak!

Sarah said to Abraham, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please go into my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” Genesis 16:2 God told Sarah’s husband, Abraham, that his offspring would grow as numerous as the sands of the seashore and the stars of the sky. But there was a problem: Sarah was barren and past the age of childbearing. As the years passed, God’s promise didn’t appear any closer to fulfillment. Sarah began to doubt because she looked at her circumstances and not at the Almighty God who keeps His promises. Sarah was facing a problem and felt compelled to solve it in her own way. Lacking the patience to trust God to keep His promise, Sarah looked to her own methods. After waiting more than a decade for a son, she felt she had waited long enough and unwisely attempted to fulfill God’s will her way – through her Egyptian servant named Hagar. After Abraham’s son was born to Hagar, Sarah despised both of them. The true problem facing Sarah was not a need for offspring, but rather her own impatience. Sarah wanted control – something that has afflicted many leaders throughout history. Instead of trusting God, Sarah tried to make the promise come true by using her own methods and according to her own timetable. She depended on her own strength when she should have leaned on God. She illustrates what happens when an impatient and insecure leader tries to work independently of God. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Update on Dad

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 After being home with us for 2 weeks under hospice care, we were just beginning to get used to the daily routine. In the morning we prepare his pureed food and thickened drinks, administer a breathing treatment, and give him his multiple medicines, etc. The nurse or aid comes in to help bathe him, dress him and, if he is feeling up to it, move him to his recliner in the living room. In the evening, we get him to the table, prepare his pureed food and thickened drinks, bring him back to bed, give him his medicines, another breathing treatments, etc. A week ago he developed a UTI and went on a strong antibiotic. After a couple days, he seemed to be responding well. Unfortunately, yesterday afternoon dad started having trouble breathing, he developed a fever, as well as other symptoms I won’t go into. This morning he had to return to the hospital and, after a brief diagnosis, the doctor told us he has a much more severe infection. At his age, the doctor explained, there is no guarantee that he will be coming home. We’ll keep you informed, but likely won’t know anything more for at least a couple days. Thanks in advance for your prayers. We love him and want him to be comfortable. He has lived a long life, so we have peace whatever the outcome. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

The Monster In All of Us

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20 Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes once interviewed Yehiel Dinur, a Holocaust survivor and witness at the Nuremberg trials. During the show, Wallace played a 1961 clip of Dinur walking into the Israeli courtroom where Adolf Eichmann was on trial. A principal architect of the Holocaust, Eichmann had evaded capture for years but had finally been found and brought to justice. As Dinur spied Eichmann for the first time in 18 years - he had last seen the German mastermind at Auschwitz, the notorious death camp - he stopped and stood motionless in the middle of the courtroom. He began to sob uncontrollably. He fainted and collapsed to the floor. Was he overcome by hatred? Fear? Horrid memories? Actually, as he said later, it was none of these. What overwhelmed Dinur was this: Suddenly he realized Eichmann was not the godlike army officer who had sent so many to their cruel deaths. Adolf Eichmann was just an ordinary man. Wallace captured it best when he asked, "How is it possible for a man to act as Eichmann did? Was he a monster? A madman? Or was he perhaps something even more terrifying - was he normal?" "Eichmann," Dinur said, "is in all of us." This statement by Eichmann is difficult to swallow. If not for fear of consequences or a liking for our own reputation or the healing flow of God's grace, could any of us be another Eichmann? May God keep us from ever believing that our goodness is something we've worked up from within. May we realize again that whatever goodness lives in us is the goodness of God shining through us . . . the One who gave His Son to give us life and to save us from ourselves. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Monday, December 5, 2011

Truth@Life

My new ministry, Truth@Life just launched! It is a Christian based, personal coaching and consulting business. Check it out at... http://truthatlife.com/

Profiles in Leadership: Abraham – A Leader Who Put Others’ Needs First & Finished His Tasks

Is not the whole land before you? … If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left. Genesis 13:9 When the Jews in the New Testament days spoke of their heritage and spiritual legacy, they claimed Abraham as their father. They gave him the title “father”, a term of respect synonymous with leadership, because he put others’ needs first and he finished his appointed mission. Abraham always seemed to follow through on his commitments. When God called him to depart to an unknown land, he went the distance. When enemies abducted Lot (his nephew) and all his worldly goods, Abraham pursued the kidnappers and subdued them. When commanded to circumcise the males in his household, Abraham did it ‘that very same day’. And when God asked Abraham to take his beloved son, Isaac, to Mount Moriah and sacrifice him there, Abraham was willing to follow through to the very last detail. In addition, Abraham put the needs of others first. When the land could no longer sustain both of their herds, he allowed Lot to have the first choice of which piece of land he wanted. Abraham was willing to take whatever real estate Lot didn’t. He served generously and sacrificially, giving up what could have been his for the sake of someone else. Abraham was willing to do this because: (1) He valued his relationships more than his possessions, and (2) He knew that God was in control and would do him justice in the end. This is a great example of a leader taking the high road. Those who do this believe that life is too short to keep score. These “high road” leaders realize that God is better at providing for them than they are for themselves. Lot’s decision took him to Sodom, a place where he and his family experienced a bitter life. Abraham followed the Lord and received a bountiful promise. No wonder that God, the ultimate leader, called Abraham “My friend”. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Don't Celebrate too Soon!

It happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, … that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. Nehemiah 4:15 It the measure of a man is how much it takes to get him to quit, then Nehemiah would have ranked near the top of anyone’s list. Nothing could keep this guy down! He began with an almost impossible task, and his entire staff was demoralized. He rallied them to get them started rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, but they soon encountered betrayal from within their own ranks and opposition from the outside. Nehemiah’s leadership saved the day. He kept his staff working through all the opposition. And, at the critical moment when they were ready to quit, he told them to focus their attention on defending their families from attack. This put “steel” in the backbones of his people. The enemy recognized this and gave up. Immediately, Nehemiah told the people to go back to work on the walls. Why couldn’t they take a break? Just a few days off to celebrate and regroup? Nehemiah knew the best thing for them was to get back to work. They wouldn’t be safe until the walls were rebuilt, and they couldn’t afford to waste any time. Sometimes it is appropriate to take a brief break to celebrate our minor successes, but often people need to get back to work as soon as possible so they can complete the larger goal. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Golf and God

Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen. Romans 1:20 A friend of mine and I played a round of golf years ago at a beautiful course just outside of Littleton, Colorado. At sunrise, the massive rocks that jut up out of the ground (the size of a 2-story house) turned a brilliant pink and deer casually crossed the fairway in front of us. As we stood there on the course - I couldn't help but admire the beauty of this location. Every hole is absolutely stunning in its layout and contour. It's truly a magnificent piece of golf architecture. In the distance, you can also see the snow-capped mountain range in all its splendor, majesty and rugged beauty. Whether you gaze at the beauty of the landscape immediately in front of you or consider the majesty of the Milky Way on a starlit night, you have to agree - truly we serve a God whose ingenuity has no peer, whose power and might and knowledge of us overwhelms with its sheer magnitude. And this same almighty God, who slung a billion galaxies into space, cares about you. He knows everything about you, yet He still loves you. And He wants you to trust Him with all your problems and worship Him with all your heart. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Leaders Can Capture the Heart of their People Through Vision

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great… Genesis 12:2 The incident at the Tower of Babel was more than punishment for the people who refused to submit their hearts to God. God was implementing a “divide and conquer” strategy over mankind. But within one of the new people groups He created, He chose a particular man to make a covenant with. God spoke to an elderly man without any children, Abram, and promised to richly bless Him. He promised to make him the father of nations and to bless all humankind through him. God proposed His plan carefully to Abram in the form of a vision he could understand and get very excited about. He told Abram He would bless him, along with his cattle, land, family, and name. God spoke to Abram heart to heart, revealing to him the blessings he would enjoy through this new covenant. In this passage, God lays out the criteria for a God-given vision: It must begin with God’s priorities, not ours. It must connect with the leader’s identity (match his needs and desires). It must bless others. It should be much bigger than the leader. But at the same time, it must connect with the leader’s deepest convictions. It should be tangibly and easily communicated. And finally, it must have eternal value. While Abram might have chosen to obey God simply because He is God, the Lord made the effort to connect with him first. He touched Abram’s heart before asking for his hand. Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Leaders Are Learners

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 One of the most attractive traits of a powerful leader is getting excited about learning a new skill or gaining fresh insights. Conversely, one of the most discouraging characteristics of some in leadership is a know-it-all attitude that walls them off from new ideas. Leaders who love to learn add enthusiasm and creativity to every meeting and every relationship. They are great examples to others in the organization. The Christian life is often called a walk (see the verse above). A slow, steady, consistent pursuit of God and His will characterizes our lives. And, like the roots of a tree, we reach down deep into the truth and grace of God to find nourishment. Soaking up sustenance never stops. And even in times of drought, we find sources of strength if we’ve gone deep enough. Finally, like a sturdy building, each choice we make to honor God is a block in the structure of our spiritual experience. We grow stronger with each God-honoring decision. Indeed, life is like a classroom and only those who are willing to be lifelong learners will move to the head of the class. What is God teaching you at this phase of your journey? Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com