Reclaim Leadership

The Day After…

Eric Willis — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:09:22 +0000

We’re all just one stupid decision from doing the unthinkable. That truth rings out each time I talk with a man or woman who has decided to seek intimacy outside their marriage. My heart sinks each time I hear it. To think all of us are prone to wandering from the vows we take should provide motivation for us to run for the cover of God. Unfortunately, the power of sin points us running in the opposite direction. It’s nothing new! Remember what Adam and Eve did after sinning against God? They found a lush place in paradise to run and hide. In the mayhem of the deceptive lie bought into by those who take the bait of Satan, families are destroyed, marriages are ruined, and personal lives are ripe for running from the One who loves them most. May we keep in mind Paul’s words to the church in Corinth as he warns them with the same applicable warning for us in 1 Corinthians 10:12. Take the warning and please don’t ever say you’re above the sin of adultery. Just the opposite; acknowledge you are able in any frail moment to take the bait of Satan… Then… Stand firm (verse 13).

Never Give Up! Always Give In…

Eric Willis — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:32:14 +0000

I was reminded today that those of us in ministry leadership often try to prove our worth with the work we produce. We were taught from an early age to give 110% (although I never knew how to give more than 100%). The messages we received from parents, coaches, teachers, bosses, colleagues, and other influencers often went against what we know Scripture teaches us. Don’t get me wrong. These influencers cared about us and wanted to see us excel. However, their message of effort pointed us to ourselves to make it happen when Scripture clearly talks more of our weaknesses being more useful for the Lord’s strength to prove successful. May we never give up; but may we always give in. Give in to the guidance, prompting, and power of the Spirit within us as we work. We work not for man’s accolades, but for the glory of our Lord. Hmmm, maybe that’s how we get 110%.

A Pastor’s MUST see…

Eric Willis — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:53:00 +0000

Allow me to introduce you to my friend Bobby Minor. He’s innovative, creative, and a colleague in pastoral ministry. He’s giving you an incredible opportunity and I don’t want you to miss it… learn more here, you’ll be glad you did! http://www.bobbyminor.com/coachingnetwork/guest-speakers/ I’m privileged to bring to the Coaching Network dialogue on issues of pastoral leadership: Re-discovering your calling and re-igniting your passion to pursue it! Join me by supporting the God-sized journey He has asked Bobby to take.

To Reconcile or Restore?

Eric Willis — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:06:26 +0000

Reconciliation or Restoration… When we choose to forgive one who has sinned against us, God calls us to immediately reconcile (Matthew 5; Romans 12:18). To reconcile means to make the relationship spiritually right. First with God, then with the other. The concept of restoration is the act of bringing a relationship back to its former state. Although, ideal when reconciliation is pursued, restoration is conditional and sometimes not able to happen. What are some of the factors that go into whether or not restoration can happen? The answer depends on the cause of the conflict. Thinking through the difference of restoration and reconciliation, what are some instances where restoration may not be possible?

One More Thing…

Eric Willis — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:26:08 +0000

Remember Colombo? Yeah, I found myself trashing that analogy as I recently spoke to a group of 20-somethings. I spent more time explaining who the eccentric detective of the seventies hit TV show was than actually making my point. He was notorious for leaving a crime scene only to turn back and say “One more thing…” He always got his man (or woman) and it always happened after he turned back to inquire one last time. That last inquiry provided him the missing pieces to solve the case. Are you at a place of need, discouragement, seeming hopelessness? Need desperately to hear from God concerning your present circumstances? Let me encourage you to stop walking out, turn around and inquire of the Lord “One more thing…” Your help comes from the Lord. Lift up your eyes and see that your help comes from the Lord.

What’s the difference?!

Eric Willis — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:16:17 +0000

I heard it again today… She verbalized a list of her contributions to the breakdown of their marriage while her husband sat wide-eyed in agreement. It was a beautiful set up for a heartfelt meaningful step toward reconciliation of their marriage. Then it happened. The words “I apologize” flowed from her lips with a thud to the floor and the air left the room. A dissapointed smirk crossed the husbands face as if to say “really?” I found myself churning inside and the teacher in me came out. A lesson I find myself teaching over and over again. An apology is a cognitive process, forgiveness is a spiritual one. Scripture never calls, commands or suggests we apologize. God’s Word cites forgiveness over two dozen times and not once to apology. Jesus didn’t apologize for our sin, He forgave it! When seeking restoration of relationship, we must get past the worldly clause of apology and engage the Lord’s heart for forgiveness. True forgiveness of another person is often slighted in favor of an easier “out” with a lesser apology. Make a point of doing the dangerously righteous act of asking for forgiveness; first resting in the forgiveness of the Lord, then asking it of the person you have sinned against. An apology is appropriate when we’ve made a mistake, but sin requires forgiveness. May we live forgiven by being forgiving!

“Hey, Watch This!”

Eric Willis — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:50:17 +0000

Has ministry lost its fun? Been stifled by someone saying that’s not “allowed?” What do you need to do to find it?

Fail

Eric Willis — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:33:05 +0000

Congratulations to Patty O’bryant Watkinson for her winning caption this week! Check out facebook.com/ReclaimLeadership to see her contribution and to participate in this weeks caption contest.
I couldn’t help but think of how we as ministry leaders often feel as if we’re hanging in limbo waiting for a decision to be made. This picture captures how many of us feel. Consider: Decision making for the spiritual leader is more than a thought process, it is a trust process. Trust the Lord to direct our paths as we make our plans. Sounds a lot like Proverbs 16:9. That verse keeps us off the fence and out of “udder confusion”.

Join the conversation

Eric Willis — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:50:40 +0000

Reclaim Leadership now has a presence on facebook. Join the conversation at facebook.com/ReclaimLeadership.

The desert has a purpose…

Eric Willis — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:33:55 +0000

The recent heat here in Texas has turned the landscape into a desert! Some of you live in the desert; friends in Arizona, New Mexico and other places in the Southwest. You’re somewhat used to the high temps and dry air. It’s taking a toll on those of us not used to the prolonged heat. We’re about to break a 20 year record of over 40 days of temps at or above 100 degrees! I took this heatwave to dive into scripture and look at the desert. To my surprise, I found solace there… there’s a purpose for the desert! Hosea 2:14 shows the heart of God desiring to “allure” His people into a place of desolation in order to lovingly speak to them. WOW! Our desert is our opportunity to listen to the loving words of our Creator! When you find yourself in the desert, before expending your energy on getting out, seek to listen for the loving voice of God.