In-the-Box or Out-of-the-Box?

I was sitting this morning with my wife and watching a recorded episode of Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah. He was teaching about the life of Job and one part of the sermon caught my attention... He was preaching about the interaction between Job and one of his so-called friends, Zophar, and Dr. Jeremiah said that the friend was attempting to put God in "a box" of his own experiences. Dr. Jeremiah taught that God is too great and awesome to fit "in-the-box" of our own worldview... "true knowledge and wisdom come from having a broad perspective on life..." of seeing God "out-of-the-box" of our perspective!

I have been reminded of just this point several times this week, especially when I was recalling my trip to Africa last year... It's been exactly one year since I made the visioning trip to Uganda and Tanzania that totally changed my perspective on how big God really is -- from a variety of angles! Whether it was the trip en route to Africa recognizing some of God's most awesome creations (the peoples of the world, the natural wonders of Europe & Africa, and the simplicity of African life -- check out Episode #4 of My African Adventure blog) or the experience of being stranded in downtown Kampala or the discovery of the source of the Nile River or the visit in Tanzania with the two different business as mission (BAM) groups... Reflection on these experiences continues to show me that God doesn't fit "in-the-box" of my perspective.

As well, the past year has repeatedly showed me one of the lessons that I took away from my African trip -- that I must simply rely on God and place my trust in Him that He would direct my thoughts, my words, my steps, my actions... everything!

This has been especially true with my new business -- fHg Consulting! A friend kept telling me to "step out of the boat" and start my firm... and frankly, Peter's experience in meeting Jesus on the waves in Matthew 14 continues to remind me of my need to rely on Christ. When Peter turns his attention to all of the concerns around him (the wind and waves), instead of focusing on Jesus, he begins to sink and cries out "Lord, save me!" Why? Because he took his eyes off of Christ and on everything around him which could have spelled his failure... Therefore, real faith is staying focused on Jesus at all times, even when the world seems to be pressing in.

So, remember that God is larger, by far, than the "box" of my perspective and stay alert for where He is working around me... And, focus on Christ and he'll direct my steps!

Initial Insights from Global Leadership Summit

Awesome!!! Indescribable!!! Breathtaking!!! I've spent the past two days attending the Global Leadership Summit outside Chicago, via satellite uplink from right here in Evansville... listening to numerous fabulous teachers and interviews...

The list of speakers included several well-known Christian pastors and speakers -- including Bill Hybels from Willow Creek, outside Chicago; Andy Stanley from North Point Community Church near Atlanta; and Bishop T.D. Jakes from The Potter's House in Dallas -- and a number of lesser known pastors -- such as Jeff Manion of Ada Bible Church near Grand Rapids and Christine Caine of Hillsong Church in Australia. There were also interviews with Jack Welsh, former CEO of General Electric; Tony Dungy, former Indianapolis Colts coach; Blake Mycoskie, CEO/President of TOMS Shoes; and Terri Kelly, CEO of W.L. Gore & Associates, maker of Gore-Tex. To say nothing of the leadership/motivational authors/speakers -- Jim Collins, author of Good to Great; Daniel Pink, author of Drive; and a remarkable Chinese Communist economist turned Christian.

Here's a couple of small tidbits that stick in my mind...

"Leaders move people from HERE to THERE (your "Preferred Future")... with fantastic people of character, having competence, forming chemistry, and creating culture... identifying milestones along the path and celebrating the achievements... and most importantly, listening to whispers from God." -- Bill Hybels

"Preserve your core (values) AND stimulate progress... by setting BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals)!" -- Jim Collins

"Great, well-led organizations always, always have tensions and problems that never go away... they instead leverage them to advance the organization... as a leader, one of the most valuable things you can do for your organization is differentiate between tensions your organization will always need to manage vs. problems that need to be solved." -- Andy Stanley

I also heard about "the land between" from Jeff Manion... only to discover that's exactly where I am... but unlike many people, including the Israelites following Moses -- who complained and melted down -- I agreed with Manion who stated that the desert is fertile ground for our spiritual transformation and a place in which God's grace may be revealed in magnificent ways.

Amazing! Incredible! Well worth the two days I spent... to be reminded of God's love, compassion, and hope!

Grace to all of you!

It's Official! We're live on the Net...

First things, first... I must give all the glory and praise to God for this new (ad)venture that I've embarked on! Basically, that's the essence of my firm -- fHg Consulting -- all we do is for His glory.

I'm now 3 weeks into this (ad)venture with fHg Consulting... and I have only 1 client at this point (my former employer, BLA -- thanks, guys!), but a multitude of leads, including a couple with request for proposals "on the street." Plus, I have upcoming meetings planned with the leadership of DOTs in several Midwest states to discuss opportunities to provide strategic advisory and support services to their staff. And, not least, WE'RE LIVE ON THE INTERNET -- www.fhgconsulting.com!

Second, without your prayers and support, I wouldn't be where I'm at today... I recognize it took a tremendous amount of faith to "step out of the boat," especially since I didn't really have any work in hand... but, I have felt a ground swell of support, stretching from East Africa to my own home here in Evansville. I just want to say, "THANK YOU!!!"

Lastly, thank you to our Lord and Savior for all of the blessings he continues to give us... He knows just what we need when we need it... one small example -- I wasn't sure how our family would make it through the past month financially with starting up my new business... But He provided -- during the month of June, I received two checks from a retirement savings account that I didn't realize still existed... that totaled just what we needed... God is good!

Well, signing off for now,
Kent