August 12, 2011

8-12-11 Friday, 5:54 am Springfield, 68 degrees, breezy
This has a week of training and development. From the 2 days of staff retreat up through these two days of Willow Creek’s Leadership Summit, I am pleased with the content and inspiration of these events. This morning I will take one of the Wesley youth flying, if the scattered thunderstorms stay away. The airport closes this morning at 11 for runway work.

Tonight I will visit the Boone County jail where Walter (Skip) is incarcerated. I have taken 2 collect calls from him, put cash toward his account, and written and received a letter. His letter is a seven page epistle that I have only skimmed. I will read it in detail today before visiting him.

Nehemiah 3, 4 (One Year Bible)

Chapter 3 contains a detailed list of which individuals and families repaired specific parts of the wall, towers, and gates around Jerusalem. This reminds me again of the importance of individuals, and the value in recognizing the work of people, celebrating what they have done. Chapter 4 involves the enemies who are threatened by the rebuilding of the wall, who mock the work, and threaten to attack. Nehemiah’s response is to organize his people with their weapons, and by spending the nights inside the wall. So they were watchmen by night and workmen by day.

There are so many ways in which the book of Nehemiah has application for the church today. Nehemiah was a man of vision and action. A vision without action is just a daydream. He used all available resources, and took things a step at a time. He persevered in the face of opposition, and he inspired confidence and sacrifice which led to the accomplishment of a big, hairy goal (bhg).

Guide us in this generation to do the same, most Holy One. Use me today as a servant leader to accomplish your purposes, working to the goal of building your kingdom.