by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 26, 2011 | regular
Election season is in full effect. Candidates are competing to be the leader of the free world. However, the problems still remain. The stock market continues to remain volatile. I am not sure that this is so much a response to President-Elect Obama as it is a reflection of the fact that the economic environment is still enormously turbulent.
So is the glass half empty or half full? The truth is, both.
In times like these, leaders must do two things simultaneously:
- Confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they may be.
- Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties.
This is what author Jim Collins refers to as “The Stockdale Paradox.” In his book, Good to Great, he tells the story of Admiral James Stockdale, who was a prisoner of war for eight years during the Vietnam War.
After his release, a reporter asked Admiral Stockdale, “How in the world did you survive eight years in a prisoner of war camp?”
He replied,
I never lost faith in the end of the story. I never doubted not only that we would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event in my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.
The reporter then asked, “Who didn’t make it out?” Admiral Stockdale replied,
Oh, that’s easy, the optimists. They were the ones who said, “We’re going to be out by Christmas.” And Christmas would come and go. Then they’d say, “We’re going to be out by Easter.” And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart.”
Collins then goes onto state that an attribute of truly great companies and great leaders is that they are able to embrace simultaneously these twin truths of their current reality and their ultimate triumph.
Questions: Are you embracing the Stockdale Paradox in your leadership? If so, how?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 25, 2011 | photo
Merry Christmas from The Stowers Family!
from left to right: Josh, Shauntai, Lauren, Me, & Myles
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 22, 2011 | regular
Monday’s post challenged readers to ponder, “When Was Jesus Born?” Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s posts explained why God chose Mary and Joseph as part of His divine plan.
Many responded how they enjoyed reading and learning the truth surrounding Jesus’ birth. Many agreed that it really doesn’t matter “WHEN” Jesus was born…we all agree that it’s important “THAT” He was born.
The reality of Christmas is not about Santa Claus, Elves, Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer, or shopping. The reality of Christmas is Jesus Christ and that He came to model what an abundant life consists of.
Here’s the reality of Christmas:
YOU MATTER TO GOD!
God knows everything about you and He STILL loves you. He knows the good you do, as well as the bad and the ugly. And guess what? He still loves you because that’s all that He can do! His essence is love so everything that comes from Him is with love. Isn’t it great to discover that YOU MATTER TO GOD?
Also…
YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT!
It doesn’t matter what the circumstances of your birth were…you ARE NOT an accident. I repeat: “YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT.” God has a plan and a purpose for your life. Meaning and satisfaction come when I discover God’s purpose for my life. Here’s what I was created for…and it feels great.
So, what is Christmas really about? Why should I shake the spirit of depression, frustration, and loneliness? Why should I resist the urge to shut out loved ones and friends?
Here’s why…
Christmas is a TIME TO RENEW MY FAITH.
“… I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!” Luke 2:10 (Living Bible)
God wants you to know Him as much as He knows you. Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b). God knows everything about you. You just don’t know Him. He wants you to know Him so He sent Jesus Christ so you could know what He’s like.
If God wanted to relate to birds, He would have become a bird. If God had wanted to communicate to cows, He would have become a cow. If He wanted to communicate to dogs, He would have become a dog. But God wanted to relate to you and to me, so He became like us – a human being.
Lastly, Christmas is a TIME TO RECEIVE FORGIVENESS.
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born for you; he is Christ the Lord!” Luke 2:11
It doesn’t say that God sent us a salesman because we didn’t need a product.
He didn’t send us a politician, because we didn’t need diplomacy.
He didn’t send us a soldier, because we didn’t need a warfought.
He didn’t send a scientist because we didn’t need information.
He sent us a Savior, because you need a Savior and I do too. If you didn’t need a Savior, God wouldn’t have wasted time sending one. God sent a Savior so we could receive forgiveness.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
Here’s my challenge to you this Christmas: CELEBRATE!!!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 21, 2011 | regular
Are you enjoying the journey as we investigate the circumstances surrounding Christmas? Personally, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed our journey together. We already know God chooses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. He chose a teenage girl to give birth to our Savior – Jesus. Today, I invite you to look at Joseph, Mary’s husband. Like her, he was a part of God’s divine plan.
Why Did God Choose Joseph?
Allow me to cut across the yard and say: Joseph was OBEDIENT.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20
Joseph was struggling with his dilemma when God spoke to him (I know i would’ve struggled too). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife (Matthew 1:24). Joseph did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do (consistently).
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, Matthew 2:13-14
Additionally, Joseph had a CLOSE WALK WITH GOD! We may not fully understand the reasons behind God’s instructions. We do know that his wisdom is complete and his judgment infallible. The way to know God’s instructions is to know his Word. Just as children do not understand the reasons for all their parents’ instructions until they are older.
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. Matthew 2:19-21
We may not understand all of God’s reasons in this life. It is far better to obey God first, and then discover the reasons. We are never free to disobey God just because we don’t understand.
God chose Joseph because he was a PROTECTOR.
So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:21-23
Joseph clearly protected his family from the evil intent of Herod. He returned to his homeland from Egypt only after the death of Herod and the threat was gone. So, what’s the message:
God Uses People Who DESIRE to do His Will.
Desire to do His will more than anything else! Say, “I want God’s plan for my life.” God made you for a purpose but you could miss that purpose. You must choose to cooperate with God’s purpose for your life or you’ll miss it. You could waste your life and blow your life, squander your life and not make it count. It’s not automatic.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 20, 2011 | regular
This week we’re investigating the truth regarding Christmas. While we navigate through massive malls, peruse exquisite boutiques, my goal is that the real meaning of Christmas IS NOT lost. Additionally, I want to show you how God uses EVERYDAY people to do amazing things. Scripture is replete with examples of these people.
Was God arbitrary when He chose Mary? The Bible says, “God is looking for people to use.” If you’ll just get useable, God will wear you out! You have not really lived until you experience being used by God to bless somebody else. Some of you are saying, “God could never use me.” Please allow me to sum up that thought with two words: You’re wrong!
Not only can God use you, but He wants to use you. He’s waiting. He’s eager to use you in ways you have not even imagined. When God decides to do something major, why does He chose ordinary people? Why Did God Choose Mary?
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27
Was it because of her education? No!
Because she didn’t have any.
Was it because of her wealth? No!
Because she was poor.
Was it because of her maturity? No!
Because she was a teenager.
God took an ordinary woman and used her in an extraordinary way. That’s what makes her special.
God chose Mary because she TRUSTED Him.
Mary had all kinds of fears, but she never let her fears control her. Check out Mary’s initial reaction:
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Luke 1:29-30
The angel explained what would happen and Mary’s initial reaction was shock. The Greek word for “confused and disturbed” is “petrified, scared to death.” Wouldn’t you be a little scared if an angel showed up at your door? She had every reason to be frightened but she didn’t let her fears control her.
As I reflect on this passage, I see four types of fears Mary probably experienced. First, there was the fear of criticism. She’s probably thinking, “What’s everybody going to think? I’m a virgin and I’m having a baby.” Next, there’s the fear of the supernatural. She’s thinking, “What will happen to me?”Additionally, there’s the fear inadequacy. I’m led to believe she’s thinking, “How can I handle this?” Finally, there’s the fear of change. She must be thinking, “This will change my life forever?”
So what’s the lesson behind all of this you can apply to your life immediately?
God Uses People Who DECIDE to pay the cost.
There’s always a cost in following God’s plan for your life. Therefore, here’s another resolution to consider for 2011: “God, I want to get closer.” It will not happen automatically, it’s going to cost you something. You’re must be willing to give up some things. There will always be costs, risks, and it will always require faith.
How do I know:
IT COST MARY HER REPUTATION & COMFORT!
