Have You Heard About “Social Books?”

Michael Hyatt in his recent blog made comment to Trends to Watch in 2011. Among those trends he identified what is known as Social Books. This is a new technology / product by Jason Illian, founder and CEO of Rethink Books. What makes this application so exciting is the ability to link ebook readers in a most unusual way. Let’s say that your company has the managers reading a new book. The goal is to communicate ideas. Think how much better the communication would be if your books were linked. For example I am reading my copy in my reader and find a passage that excites me. I underline it and make some notes, when I do these notations are available to all the other linked copies. You see my notes and have additional ideas which you mark, which are then shared among the team!

Think of the applications in teaching between students and teachers of a class. Or imagine how strong you could build a small group or “community” if as your group is reading and working through a powerful book for change each are sharing thoughts and ideas almost instantaneously? By the way, just for the record, I’m not selling this tool or getting compensated for talking about it. I just like things that help us connect.

Sadly some people fear technology. I would be the first to want to understand the ramifications of technology changes. Yet, I would also be open to want to benefit from tools that enhance our ability to communicate better, stronger and clearer. Embrace change that strengthens your opportunity to share the Gospel, grow the body of Christ and take down barriers between people moving to a common vision.

What new tool or resource are you checking out for 2011?

Copyright 2011 © Charles Lyons

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Darkness Where There Should Be Light

Over the past few days I had a wonderful time of refreshing and healing. Last week I had inflamed an old injury which subsequently was causing much pain. Actually I was perfectly fine as long as I didn’t sit, stand, move or remain still. The trouble was that I had started to run short of options.

Since my original plans for Thanksgiving included a 4 hour drive to Lafayette, Louisiana to spend time in Cajun country it was time to modify my plans. I was initially disappointed since I had been dreaming of some seriously good cooking; I knew I needed a shorter journey. So at the last moment I changed my plans and opted for Brenham, Texas. Closer and a wonderfully relaxing and beautiful part of Texas, I always recommend Brenham as a great place to get away.

One of the things that I looked forward to was taking some night photography of several churches up in the surrounding countryside. There are a group of churches in the area that are each over a hundred years old. This is a great testimony to the founders and succeeding generations of each of these congregations. Well maintained, basic and rich in spiritual history. Additionally, I had discovered on the website for Washington County that these historic buildings are now part of lighted tour that can be viewed at night. I love night photography and prepared for the evenings shooting.

As I wound my way through the countryside and rolling hills I was soon disappointed to find darkened buildings where there should have been lighted buildings. This far out in the country combined with rain clouds moving in gave a new meaning to the word “dark.” On the rare occasions that I passed a farmhouse their lights stood out in brilliance. After a few more trips I conceded that the lighted tour was operating in “extreme green” mode. This was great for the ecology, saving energy and all, but leaving something to be desired as a night photo opportunity.

As I returned to the comfort of my hotel I began thinking of Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” I could not help but think how even a limited amount of light on these buildings would have caused them to stand out for miles amidst the darkness. Then I began to think of how much more the truth of a godly life and witness stands out in a cold world of spiritual darkness.

As I prepared for sleep and pondered the many blessings we each have, I thought again of the power of light in the midst of darkness. As I move from a time of Thanksgiving to the Christmas season, I pray that each of us will be certain to let our light shine. May each of us not be a silent witness, but a bold and committed source of light wherever we are and wherever we travel.

What one thing can you do this week to shine for Christ?

Copyright 2010 © Charles Lyons

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Elements That Can Bring Us Down…

This week our staff is having meetings to reflect and refresh. One of our speakers today, Gary Thomas, emphasized the importance to watch for three spiritual elements that seem innocent however can take us down in ministry or in our spiritual walk.

 1^st Tiredness – We are not talking about simple exhaustion but rather that stage where we continue on and on without rest, without taking time off, and allowing for balance. Remember that the “rules” apply to us. Just as gravity doesn’t stop for us because we are doing ministry neither does the price we will pay if we overtax our bodies.

 2^nd Loneliness / Alienation – Sin is an isolating experience. If we start having more times of isolation than times where we interact with others, with real family and friends, we open the door to sin in our life.

 3^rd – Lack of Joy in Life and God – Living only out of duty and responsibility. When we live this way we neglect our passion for ministry!

 Any one of these is bad, two is inviting danger in our spiritual lives, three and we definitely need help!

 The reality is that regardless of your role in life, if you are a believer in Christ you can fall into these traps. We need to get the mental and physical rest in order to have the energy needed to be a strong positive witness. Living a life of faith is physically, mentally and spiritually demanding. We need to schedule in time for rest and diversion.

 Taking a stand on issues can often make you feel isolated and alone, however, we need to have a circle of friends that we connect with and trust. We need people of faith and character to share ideas with, challenges with and help to keep us accountable.

 We do have a sense of duty and we should demonstrate we are people of character and responsibility. Yet these things should grow out of our joy and passion that is our lives in Christ. When it becomes work rather than a passionate effort, we and those we minister to will miss out greatly.

 Honestly ask yourself where you stand in regard to these three issues. Starting today, begin making the changes to strengthen your spiritual life and muscles rather than living in jeopardy!

Copyright 2010 © Charles Lyons

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Strength In An Illustration

I was reading last night from C.H. Spurgeon’s “Lectures To My Students.” I was very taken with an account of Martin Luther when he was living under the threat of a man who had publically announced his intention of killing Luther with a knife. The man had a reputation that made it clear he would act on his threat. Luther had a portrait painted of the man which he took with him on his travels so he could keep a mental picture of what the man looked like. Armed with this, he felt he would be prepared to spot him in a crowd and avoid him. Being forewarned he could avoid the danger to his life.

Others soon learned of this and began to feel sorry for him. Rather than a pity party, Martin Luther used it as an illustration in his sermon. He explained that just as he had this picture of one who would do him harm, we have many “word pictures” throughout Scripture that give believers a warning of those things our adversary would use to be our downfall. Those dangers to the Christian walk can be identified when we have studied the Scriptures and as a result know what to watch out for.

More than just an illustration it is a great example to us today. Lesson one, Spurgeon didn’t obsess with the one who would harm him, he prepared for him. As a result he had no fear and continued on with the work that God had for him to do.

Lesson two, Spurgeon was alert to how this threat he was under impacted those who cared about him. It is too easy for us to be self-absorbed and note take into account how our battles impact our loved ones. A spouse who is under stress or abuse at work thinks they are being “strong” when they don’t share what is going on when they get home. Yet, that silence partnered with the inner pain they are feeling can create greater stress in the home. Being willing to risk openness and looking for solutions can make the relationship stronger.

Lesson three, look to the Scriptures – the Word of God for your warning signs and best solutions to bring security to your home, family and inner strength. Finally and from a writer’s perspective, look to our spiritual ancestors for great examples of how to illustrate and communicate. Much of the reason such people are remembered is because of how they responded to a stress moment and how they listened for God’s answer. Learning from them, retelling the story not only does honor to their reputation but provides a great wealth of material for any writer, teacher, or other communicator.

Look to the future and ask yourself this question, “What will my children share about me as a lesson to my grandchildren?” Better still, what would I prefer they told them and can I start living examples of it today?

Copyright 2010 © Charles Lyons

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Who Watches Your Face? Who Sees Your Expressions?

I think too often we actually believe that we do some things in secret. Somehow we think that those things in secret are things we get away with. The truth be told, it’s just not true.

This morning I was reading in Genesis chapter 4. It is here that Cain and Able are mentioned and sadly that Cain kills his brother. By way of reminder here is the passage:

1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived , and bare Cain, and said , I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect . And Cain was very wroth , and his countenance fell . 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth ? and why is thy countenance fallen ? 7 If thou doest well , shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well , sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him . 9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said , I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper ? 10 And he said , What hast thou done ? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

Yet here is the part of the passage I noticed this morning. Did you see that even the expressions on Cain’s face were observed by the LORD? The Bible says that Cain was angry and his “countenance” or expression fell. He was sad, he was angry and more importantly God noticed. Cain’s angry perhaps sarcastic words were not his response to his father Adam, these words and the conversation was between he and the LORD. Have you ever had such a moment?

 No I don’t suggest that you have killed your brother. But, have we not each had those moments when we were wrong in the way we reacted, jealousy or perhaps pride enters in and when we think we are all alone we feel wronged and are angry. And in that moment can we not hear God or remember a passage from His Word and we know that we are wrong to feel that way? Do we keep our angry look or that sense of injustice deep inside?

 Now consider this next powerful statement by the LORD to Cain, “sin lieth at the door.” That says to me that Cain had a choice. Sin was at the door, it had not overcome him and he still could have said no and done the right thing. He could have rejoiced with his brother. He could have taken the time to nurture his relationship with the LORD and get his heart right. When we nurture selfish anger in our heart, not a hatred of sin but a jealousy of someone else, make no mistake… sin is at the door waiting for an entrance. We have the opportunity to stop, repent of the sin that no one else but God has seen and feel the freedom of forgiveness. The other choice is to continue and pay too high a price because the price or “wages” of sin are always too high.

More than others around you… remember that there is One who sees our expressions and knows our hearts. Why not take a moment and relieve your heart of some stress. Let go of some hurt you are carrying and ask God to forgive and heal? While your at it, why not close the door on sin?

Copyright 2010 © Charles Lyons

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Secret To Healing and Sustaining…

Ralph S Cushman wrote a poem titled, “The Secret.” In that poem his last passage reads as follows:

   So I think I know the secret

   Learned from many a troubled way;

   You must seek God in the morning

   If you want Him through the day.

I certainly agree with this simple but profound thought. It is a message that is supported in Scripture when we remember the verses Psalm 63:1-2, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.”

 I suppose this thought and these passages have particular strength and comfort for me this day. Although the week has been spiritually productive having seen several people saved, I confess I still feel an inner hurt. This past week I lost a dear friend and worse still saw a young person I have tried to help several years turn to the world and turn his back on his faith. It hurts, there is no other word for it.

 So yes, it is all the more important that each day this week I have continued to early seek my Lord. I need His strength to get through, to minister to those who are hurting and keep my confidence and focus. My confidence and focus comes from God. Because of that I am able to take the hurt and pain of the week as well as those who have disappointed me and commit them to the care, nurture and correction of our God. However much I may hurt… how much more our God. I care, I love, I pray. But God, He is care, He is love and He is compassion. Long before I knew those people He loved them.

 Always remember when you feel hurt by those you have loved and cared for that God feels the pain more, knows the hearts of those who have turned and knows yours as well. As a result, He can not only intercede in the mind and heart of others, He can work in our hearts and minds to heal, comfort and sustain. Truly, greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world. (Remember 1 John 4:4)

 If you are hurting today, take the moment you need to prayerfully turn the person or reason over to God – it is your only way to victory.

Copyright 2010 © Charles Lyons

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Here We Go Again… Another Odd Holiday!

What could I possibly mean by an odd holiday? I refer to the fact that as each year passes it seems in our country we reverse the idea behind each holiday. This can easily be seen and demonstrated by the way we observe it. Need some examples? Please consider the following:

On Labor Day we take the day off or more precisely we get the day off. We not only don’t work we spend most of the day shopping spending the money we labored for.

New Year’s Day is not really a celebration. First of all it is in observance of a year and we live it for 24 hours not 365 days. Secondly, we don’t really celebrate it, we spend the day eating, resting and recovering from the preceding day (or more accurately evening and night.)

Valentine’s Day is not actually spent with our loved one; it is spent with florists, jewelers, lingerie shops and occasionally travel agents.

Veterans and Memorial Days are rarely spent raising a flag or honoring those who sacrificed so much. Instead we spend our time shopping, cooking out, or traveling in confined vehicles and aircraft to get to open spaces that are overcrowded by people who did the same and consequently making the open spaces crowded and confined all the while knowing the return flight, drive or other forms of travel await us at the end of the day.

My solution to this may strike you a bit bizarre but I do believe I have found a positive improvement. Since the American nature seems to be to reverse the intention of a holiday I am proposing the establishment of three new holidays to be observed in reverse to the betterment of our nation. Here’s my list:

Let’s begin by observing National Warmonger Day. Since we observe and practice in reverse this will be a day that we will contemplate and practice peace and reconciliation with our international associations and people of foreign lands.

Followed by National Hate Day. This of course will be observed by random acts of kindness and compassion to our families, friends and total strangers and citizens who need our love and support.

Finally, welcome to National Atheist Day. In no time at all we forget the title and find ourselves kneeling in prayer, seeking God’s forgiveness for ourselves, our churches, our nation and our land. We will humble ourselves and recognize that there is a God, a Holy and Omnipotent God who so loved us that He gave His Son for us. If we are fortunate, we will look around and realize how ungrateful we have been as a nation. We are a nation that was founded on the principle of religious freedom. Not to worship who or whatever we declare to be the god of our life and nation, but instead the freedom to worship the God of the Bible, Son and Spirit of God in different ways or denominations while always acknowledging He is our God, our strength and the foundation of our country.

Copyright 2010 © Charles Lyons

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”