The Dead Sea Scrolls

A couple of nights ago, Melissa and I had the amazing opportunity to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. They are on display at the Raleigh museum. The event was for donors to NPR from their past fundraiser. Apparently it had to have been a very generous donation, since the guests list was small, however, Mel and I were given the tickets by her employers. What a gift huh?
It started with a meet and greet segment, where we just stood around, drank wine, and talked about how excited we were. Then came dinner. We sat at a table with physicians, Executive Directors, and other people with interesting jobs. I was the youngest person by about 6 years, and managing a toy store isn't exactly the most complicated, and interesting job there is. Trying not to sound pretentious, I listened to their conversations, and tried to add what little bit I could. It was very interesting though, and the food was great. Turns out my short stint in Carrboro helped me slide into conversations here and there, as everyone at the table lived in Carrboro.
After dinner, we were escorted into the exhibit. How amazing it was to see pots, money, and other artifacts that were centuries old. I learned about the scrolls, and the cities near where they were found. Then it was on to the scrolls, and yes, I read Genesis off of a 1000 year old piece of paper. Well, I couldn't read it, but I saw it. ^_^
As powerful as the experience was, Melissa pointed out a lady who was so amazed at the scrolls, it seemed they just slammed home the validity of Christianity for her. As I overheard her conversations, I smiled as I heard her say things like, "Hey, why aren't we doing what these scrolls say?" I really feel like the experience made a huge impact on her, and her faith.
It was a one of a kind experience, and I will surely never forget it.

Make the Sun Stand Still

Today we had a guest preacher from the Elevation Church in Charlotte. His name is Steven Furtick, and he is an extraordinary speaker. This is the second time I've heard him. Today, he spoke out of Joshua 10. Basically, there is this war going on, and Joshua asks God if he'll make the sun stand still because he's running out of time to defeat his enemies. There were three points about this that stick out.

1. His prayer is audacious:
2. It was Accurate
3. There was Action taken because of it.

I think many times our prayers aren't accurate. How can God help us if we aren't specific? The analogy he used was like when babies want something, but all they can say is Uhhhhh.... Then parents say, "Use your words." What if God feels like that? We should be accurate with our prayers.

Also, another good analogy he used, was about him, and his son. While they were recently on vacation at the beach, he and his 3 year old son would venture out into the waves. When the water reached up to his sons chest they stopped. When waves came, Pastor Steven would lift his son in the air, and his son would shout, "I'm the wave jumper." After an hour of doing this, Pastor Stevens arms were getting tired, he began to have this thought. When his son would scream "I'm the wave jumper," Steven would think, "No you're not!" You aren't doing anything. You are only doing what I let you do. You go as far out into the water as I lead you, and you trust that I will protect you." I thought that was an awesome analogy of our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father.

Inspired

I'm inspired by life, and the people who live.
I'm inspired by breakfast at dinner,
and by coffee and bagels served by indie hipster kids who need haircuts.
I'm inspired when I see a father be a father.
I look at my friends, and see their courage, and I'm inspired.
None of us have it figured out, but we sure want to.

I'm inspired when it rains, or when the sun shines bright,
and when the sun illuminates from behind the clouds at dusk.
I'm inspired by other peoples joys, and their sadness,
because it reminds me that we are all the same,
and that reality is bitter sweet.
I'm overjoyed at the smell of incense, or candles.
I love the way they light a room.

I love walks with my girlfriend, and talking about the past.
Thinking about history, and the great leaders of this country,
always moves me.
The lone man walking in the middle of the night down a dimly lit sidewalk
makes me feel peace,
as does the stray cat that wanders through my complex.

Organic foods and the sense of community found in my town
make me feel at home.
late nights in my truck playing on the computer remind me of
the early beginnings of a great relationship.
Passing by the gym makes me think of starting over.

Mostly, I'm inspired when I think about salvation, and how I am renewed through the blood of Jesus Christ. My chains are gone, and I've been set free. I pray to God and give him praise that he is the one true living God, and that I can call Him Father.

All of these things in one day...
Inspiration is everywhere, all you have to do is look.

Lead by Serving

What does it mean to be a leader? Does it mean people will follow you, that you should stand up, be different than everyone else? Does it mean that you will stand up and face adversity in times of hardships? These are all obvious qualities when it comes to leading others, but there are other qualities, and different ways to lead.

Sometimes leaders are easy to spot because they are in the spotlight. The captain of the football team, the manager of a business, the President of the United States. These individuals have been selected to their positions based on their discernment, and ability to influence others. Sometimes, however, leaders are a little harder to see. If we look at Christs examples of leadership, it's not taking the number one role, and standing out in a crowd. Jesus was a great leader because he put others first. He lived his life to serve. This is such a simple concept to think about, yet it is extremely hard to do sometimes. When someone cuts us off in traffic, or is slow giving us our lattes, or makes fun of our weirditudes.

WEIRDITUDE - (wi-erdi-tudz^) noun 1. an outlook on life that may be considered strange by others, and make them feel uncomfortable. 2. A completely made up word that makes no sense what so ever. (plural) weirditudes

I recently listened to a lecture by Donald Miller where he gave these examples, and how is roommate dealt with similar situations. He feels anger, just like everyone else, but he deals with it by repeating to himself, "You are more important than me." That is a weirditude, and is extremely hard to do, but by doing this you are serving others. Putting other people above yourself is what serving is about.

Taking the lesser seat is being a leader. Humility is a trait everyone can use. I heard a story in which Jesus is talking about taking the lesser seat. If you take the role of being the guest of honor, then you may be asked to step down, and will be embarrassed. If you take the lesser seat, you may be asked to step forward. Now, which is more gratifying, stepping forward, or backward? I, for one, would rather step forward. You may know that you can do something better than someone else, but that doesn't mean you take over and steal the spotlight. If it's God's will that you're in the position, then you will be asked to come forward.

How does this have anything to do with serving other people and leading? Well, first of all, lead by example. Know that at all times, someone else is watching you, and that someone looks towards you for guidance. Show them your humility, and that serving others makes the world a better place. Giving selflessly to others is one of the greatest gifts we can receive. I say receive because even though we are giving, we receive the awesome power of Christs love. That feeling of making someones life better by selflessly giving our own. This is what Christ did for all of mankind. Wow, think about that. Whenever we are called to serve, and we have selfish thoughts about what we want, just think, "Christ gave his life for us, and made the ultimate sacrifice." Everything else seems petty.

Secondly, another characteristic of a good leader is not just to lead others in times of strife, but to pass their wisdom onto others. A leader doesn't horde his knowledge. A leader doesn't care that others may be able to be in the same position he or she is in. A leader strives to help others grow as individuals, and enjoys seeing them mature and even sometimes surpass their own abilities. When I think about mentoring my children, or my grandchildren, I get excited, and think about the wonderful things they will be able to do, and how they can change the world, and what a beautiful thing it is that God allows man to continue to grow, and create, and learn. Teaching others your abilities, and strengths is serving them, and therefore leading them.

For one day, try and put others above yourself. When someone makes you angry, just say, you are more important than me. When your girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse, parent, or friend goes on about something you may not be too interested in, serve them by listening. Put them above yourself. I guarantee you will see a change in your life.

Thanks for reading.
Clayton