Tony’s Blog

Making  assumptions is as natural as breathing but breathing doesn’t get you into nearly as much trouble…unless you stop.  Assumptions are entirely different.  You may know the story…I don’t want to assume you do…about what happens when we assume something.  And I quote: “It usually makes an #%*! out of u and me.”  Now remember…I was quoting.  As a leader of an organization that serves hundreds…to thousands of people, I have to be very careful about making decisions that I have pondered over for perhaps months in the cubicle of my office and assuming that everyone “out there” will understand perfectly concerning the why of my thoroughly pondered position.

Unfortunately, the people “out there” often don’t understand and look at me with that quisical look of “where did you come up with that”?   Of course I respond graciously with a quisical look of my own…thinking…didn’t I tell you about this?

It is easy for this type of thing to happen…if you don’t believe me ask my wife.  (big Smile)

SO, what is our take away point from my ponderings.  We must see information and decisions as two different things.  We can and should do the hard work of thinking through big issues for our families, Churches, and ministries in our cubicles.  But then we must do the hard work of thinking through how to help those who have not been in our cubicle understand the wisdom of the forthcoming decision…which often affects them.

All in favor of being blindsided by unknown assumptions…say Aye!

What is Truth?…Pilate asks. Well Focus on the Family has spent the big bucks putting together a great small group curriculum called the Truth Project. They only sell the course to people who have gone through their Training and typically you would have to travel to get training. But, they are bringing the training here to Chattanooga. On Sept. 22 they will be doing an abbreviated training for our region for only $79 at City Church (and this is the cost for the curriculum DVD’s, so essentially, the conference itself is free!). I have seen the first dvd and I was very impressed. This would be a valuable tool for youth pastors to use with juniors and seniors as well as in college ministries. To check out more on this, click here for Family Action Council of Tennessee’s website.

Hope to see you there.

Tony

Sometimes i’m blind to the work of God that is all around me.  Not surprising I know.  But, then at other times it is as if I have 20/20 spiritual vision.  Today, I am somewhere in the middle and yet would love to get spiritual lasik surgery to be able to see all of the blessings I have.  It is as if I have just enough spiritual vision to see that I can’t really see all that God is doing.  The good thing is that this is a great gift of grace to be able to see what you can’t see.  I pray that I don’t loose this level of sight. 

Hebrews 3:13 says “Let us encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  This is a clarifying verse for me concerning how to maintain and develop our spiritual vision.  We need each other for encouragement each day so that our hearts stay soft toward God and so that we can see clearly…not being deceived.

So go out and encourage someone today…you could be part of giving sight to the blind.

Tony