Monday, July 7, 2008
Thanks and God Bless
Well, this past May I graduated from Regent with my Bachelors in Organizational leadership and Management. It has been an amazing journey that I started some three years ago, transferring in with over thirty credits from a local community college. Through the process of earning my Bachelors, I have had many experiences that have provide me opportunities to grow and develop, as well as the opportunity to develop many friendships which I believe will have lasting influence and importance in my life. I am grateful that I responded to the call these few short years ago to attend Regent. I know that coming to his school was a venue through which God has helped me to grow and continue on the path of His calling. Though I have closed the last pages of this chapter of my life, it really is just a chapter in the book of my life. For that matter, it really is just the turning of the next page. This fall I will be returning to Regent to begin my joint degree in Government and Law. Just as I know that Regent was God plan for me then, I know that I am on the path for continued development now. With that, I just wanted to sign off this blog properly by letting you know what I was up to. If you have enjoyed reading this blog, you can follow more of my writings on my personal blog, which can be found at PaulBoller.com. Thank you so much for your readership and I hope this blog has at times has made you laugh, smile, or think. Thanks and God Bless.
Friday, July 4, 2008
What those Fireworks stand for...
Today is the 4th of July. For some, it is just other day. For others, it is a holiday from work. For more, it is a day of picnics, hotdogs, and fireworks. Though the 4th may be all this, it really is so much more. It is a day to remember and to reflect among the tremendous sacrifice that our founders made over two hundred years ago to help secure for a nation yet born the liberties and freedoms that we hold so dear today. Specifically, it is a day we should remember the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, which rightfully can be viewed as the birth certificate of our great nation.
If asked, few people could probably remember the names of the signers apart from Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Hancock. In addition to these men, many, many more sacrificed their secure lives for an uncertain future which held more promise for others than themselves. As in the concluding words of the declaration itself, they “mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”. Several of these signers, many the above mentioned, went on to prominence within our history books, yet others went into obscurity as they truly gave their last full measure of devotion. Some lost their earthly fortunes in support of liberties’ cause. Others were separated from and experienced the lost of their families for their involvement. Few gave that and their very lives in support of a cause they believed to be bigger than themselves. They ran themselves ragged, neglecting themselves and their worldly affairs to see their nation succeed. They also had it forcibly taken from them as the British inflicted it’s wrath on the signers for their treasonous deeds.
However much their sacrifice, they gave it willingly because they held to the belief that God had bestowed upon each man rights that no government was allowed to infringe upon. They believed that “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Right, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Because all of them were willing to give all and because some did give all, liberty was secured for a birthing nation. We enjoy that freedom today. Not only that, but because they secured freedom for Americans then, their deeds helped formed a nation that has since stood as the guardian of freedom for a world that has known too little of it. Just over the past hundred years when evil threaten to consume the world in the two world wars, Americans, who are the spiritual heirs of the courage and resolve of those signers, stood alongside the other freedom loving peoples of the earth and put evil on the retreat. When million upon millions were enslaved behind the iron curtain of tyranny, Americans again led the charge to tear it down. As of recent, Americans have begun to impart the seeds of freedom to those in the Middle East. Though they may not have seen it then, those 56 men in fighting for the freedoms of their countrymen, helped bring freedom to the world time and time again.
And when you look at it from a spiritual perspective, it is clear to see the implications of Americans fighting for freedom. The Signers help create a nation where Christian principles of liberty and freedom flourish. From there American became John Winthrop’s and later President Ronald Reagan’s “shining city on a hill”. For over two hundred years, the good news of the gospel has proceeded forth from this blood bought shores to peoples throughout the world. In that, God has used America as His tool for reaching a lost and hurting world. I believe that this is why God shed His grace on her. Let us never forget those 56 men, the sacrifice they made, and the spiritual heritage they have entrusted to our care. We must never forget their deeds or take them for granted. As Ronald Reagan so elegantly stated, "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again." - Ronald Reagan, 1967.
If asked, few people could probably remember the names of the signers apart from Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Hancock. In addition to these men, many, many more sacrificed their secure lives for an uncertain future which held more promise for others than themselves. As in the concluding words of the declaration itself, they “mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”. Several of these signers, many the above mentioned, went on to prominence within our history books, yet others went into obscurity as they truly gave their last full measure of devotion. Some lost their earthly fortunes in support of liberties’ cause. Others were separated from and experienced the lost of their families for their involvement. Few gave that and their very lives in support of a cause they believed to be bigger than themselves. They ran themselves ragged, neglecting themselves and their worldly affairs to see their nation succeed. They also had it forcibly taken from them as the British inflicted it’s wrath on the signers for their treasonous deeds.
However much their sacrifice, they gave it willingly because they held to the belief that God had bestowed upon each man rights that no government was allowed to infringe upon. They believed that “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Right, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Because all of them were willing to give all and because some did give all, liberty was secured for a birthing nation. We enjoy that freedom today. Not only that, but because they secured freedom for Americans then, their deeds helped formed a nation that has since stood as the guardian of freedom for a world that has known too little of it. Just over the past hundred years when evil threaten to consume the world in the two world wars, Americans, who are the spiritual heirs of the courage and resolve of those signers, stood alongside the other freedom loving peoples of the earth and put evil on the retreat. When million upon millions were enslaved behind the iron curtain of tyranny, Americans again led the charge to tear it down. As of recent, Americans have begun to impart the seeds of freedom to those in the Middle East. Though they may not have seen it then, those 56 men in fighting for the freedoms of their countrymen, helped bring freedom to the world time and time again.
And when you look at it from a spiritual perspective, it is clear to see the implications of Americans fighting for freedom. The Signers help create a nation where Christian principles of liberty and freedom flourish. From there American became John Winthrop’s and later President Ronald Reagan’s “shining city on a hill”. For over two hundred years, the good news of the gospel has proceeded forth from this blood bought shores to peoples throughout the world. In that, God has used America as His tool for reaching a lost and hurting world. I believe that this is why God shed His grace on her. Let us never forget those 56 men, the sacrifice they made, and the spiritual heritage they have entrusted to our care. We must never forget their deeds or take them for granted. As Ronald Reagan so elegantly stated, "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again." - Ronald Reagan, 1967.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Strong Leaders Arise to the Top
A thought that I have been recently pondering is this: when it comes to leadership, time is either an amazing ally or an incredible enemy. I say this because time has the ability to reveal people for who they really are as leaders. Some people can for a short period of time portray themselves as a strong leader, yet as time passes it becomes harder and harder to maintain that image. When situation continually arise that are outside of their scope of leadership, followers overlook at first, but eventually start taking notice. Time does exactly the opposite for a true leader of what it does for the weak leader. As situations occur around true leaders, they perform and people notice. If the individual is a very strong leader, people slowly begin to realign themselves behind the leader. It is natural that individuals only align themselves behind stronger leaders than themselves. Only for particular purposes do strong leaders align themselves behind weaker leaders, yet for the most part, people with strong leadership abilities emerge as the top leader. This is why positional leadership can only give you a head start; it cannot sustain leadership.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Others
So I was sitting outside Friday enjoying the beautiful weather that complements the beautiful campus we have here at Regent. Part of me just wanted to simply sit here and soak it in. Do nothing but relax and let the warm rays of the sun just fall on my face. Another part of me was and still is bursting at the seems, feeling like I have so much being poured into me that I am about to burst. Part of that is because of the school work I currently have. Specifically I am working on a project that I really am looking forward to seeing the completed presentation. It is and will require a great amount of work, yet I am still excited about it. On a deeper level through, I feel that God is pouring something into me that I must begin to act upon. It all flows around one word that He put into my spirit in the fall of last year: people.
I feel that if somehow people can now see me as a people person, I still have so much to learn. When it comes to being an effective people person I still feel so inadequate at times. I know that there is so much that I can do to build up those around me. There are so many more ways that I can be investing into the lives of others so they can better become all that God has called them to be. I know that if I can spend my life investing into other people that I will have lived a life worth living. We take time to invest into education, working related trainings, and financial ventures, yet when was the last time we took time to intentionally invest into the lives of those around us? Almost a constant question in my mind is now, “How can I better invest my live into others?” I believe God is showing how to do that better.
“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.” - Jackie Robinson
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” - Albert Schweitzer
P.S. Tonight Wave is have the senior pastor of Hillsong London speak at 5 and 7 pm. He was AMAZING this morning!! Come tonight!!
I feel that if somehow people can now see me as a people person, I still have so much to learn. When it comes to being an effective people person I still feel so inadequate at times. I know that there is so much that I can do to build up those around me. There are so many more ways that I can be investing into the lives of others so they can better become all that God has called them to be. I know that if I can spend my life investing into other people that I will have lived a life worth living. We take time to invest into education, working related trainings, and financial ventures, yet when was the last time we took time to intentionally invest into the lives of those around us? Almost a constant question in my mind is now, “How can I better invest my live into others?” I believe God is showing how to do that better.
“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.” - Jackie Robinson
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” - Albert Schweitzer
P.S. Tonight Wave is have the senior pastor of Hillsong London speak at 5 and 7 pm. He was AMAZING this morning!! Come tonight!!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
The Call of Gold...or God?
In my life group last night, one of the guys read a quote from a book about the life of C.T. Studd. As it turned at, Studd was a missionary who served Christ for about ten years in China (1885-1894), 6 years in India (1900-1906), and then over twenty years in Africa (1910-1931)! You can read more about his life by clicking on this link. But I just wanted to share what my friend read to us:
“Five hundred millions of heathen have not yet been evangelized, so it is computed! Yet our great Missionary Societies have reached high water-mark, and if they have not already begun to retrench, are seriously thinking of doing so. Meanwhile, the heart of Asia, the heart of Africa, and well nigh the whole continent of south America, are untouched with the Gospel of Christ.”
“Last June at the mouth of the Congo there awaited a thousand prospectors, traders, merchants and gold seekers, waiting to rush into these regions as soon as the government opened the door to them, for rumor declared that there is an abundance of gold. If such men hear so loudly the call of gold and obey it, can it be that the ears of Christ’s soldiers are deaf to the call of God, and the cries of the dying souls of men? Are gamblers for gold so many, and gamblers for God so few?” (p. 139-140)
Oh MAN!! Doesn’t that just resonate deep within you! He went on to say more that was good, but this line stood out to me.
“Believing that further delay would be sinful, some of God’s insignificants and nobodies in particular, but trusting in our Omnipotent God, have decided on certain simple lines, according to the Book of God, to make a definite attempt to render the evangelization of the world an accomplished fact.” (p. 140)
An accomplished fact! When was the last time you and I thought of evangelism as something that could be definitively accomplished worldwide?! I pray we all view the calling God has put on each of us the way Studd viewed his as a missionary!
References
Grubb, N. (1935). C.T. Studd: Cricketer and pioneer. Atlantic City, N.J: The World-Wide Revival Prayer Movement.
“Five hundred millions of heathen have not yet been evangelized, so it is computed! Yet our great Missionary Societies have reached high water-mark, and if they have not already begun to retrench, are seriously thinking of doing so. Meanwhile, the heart of Asia, the heart of Africa, and well nigh the whole continent of south America, are untouched with the Gospel of Christ.”
“Last June at the mouth of the Congo there awaited a thousand prospectors, traders, merchants and gold seekers, waiting to rush into these regions as soon as the government opened the door to them, for rumor declared that there is an abundance of gold. If such men hear so loudly the call of gold and obey it, can it be that the ears of Christ’s soldiers are deaf to the call of God, and the cries of the dying souls of men? Are gamblers for gold so many, and gamblers for God so few?” (p. 139-140)
Oh MAN!! Doesn’t that just resonate deep within you! He went on to say more that was good, but this line stood out to me.
“Believing that further delay would be sinful, some of God’s insignificants and nobodies in particular, but trusting in our Omnipotent God, have decided on certain simple lines, according to the Book of God, to make a definite attempt to render the evangelization of the world an accomplished fact.” (p. 140)
An accomplished fact! When was the last time you and I thought of evangelism as something that could be definitively accomplished worldwide?! I pray we all view the calling God has put on each of us the way Studd viewed his as a missionary!
References
Grubb, N. (1935). C.T. Studd: Cricketer and pioneer. Atlantic City, N.J: The World-Wide Revival Prayer Movement.
Monday, March 10, 2008
I Will Go!
I just found an amazing new song. It is “I Will Go” by Starfield. It is just one of those songs that you want to (and I do) scream out as you drive your car. Actually based on the message of this song and some of their other new songs in their latest album, I think they have been recently influenced by Hillsong United…simply awesome. If you want to hear it, go to myspace.com/starfield
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Drudge and The Prince
So I am angry and disappointed with the Drudge Report. For those of you who have been following the recent news, it was learned and reported that Prince Harry of England was on active duty in Afghanistan. As it has been reported, a small Australian magazine first reported on the story, then to be followed by Drudge. Now without greater information, I can only assume that it would have been a matter of time before others would have picked up on the Australian story, yet by Drudge posting the story his site, the world knew about the story in a matter of hours. It is possible that if he had not posted the story, Prince Harry could have been safely active for another week or so before they would have had to recall him as they have. But as it is, the British government felt that after Drudge had posted the story that they could no longer deny his presence there and or delay his immediate recall. Not only did posting that story endanger the life of Prince Harry by alerting the enemy to his presents, it endangered those serving with him. It also endanger the moral of a country had he been killed after that story’s release. It could have also damaged our relations with England had he died has a result of an American, Drudge’s, broadcasting to the world of Prince Harry’s service. Now I do not know all the circumstances surrounding Drudges release of the information, so I cannot say anything definitively. On its face though, it appears that Drudge put the safety of Prince Harry, his fellow comrades, and the pride on a country behind his “getting the scoop” on the story. It appears to have been a very unprincipled act on Drudges part and I am ashamed of it.
On another note, I commend Prince Harry for his willing to serve in his country's military on the front lines. I just wished we could have learned about it after he had finished his deployment.
On another note, I commend Prince Harry for his willing to serve in his country's military on the front lines. I just wished we could have learned about it after he had finished his deployment.
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