Foresight and Leadership

"Foresight is the ability to look into the future, to come up with solutions that are good for the short term and the long term. Foresight is the most precious quality a leader can have, and it is the rarest."

J.RufusFears

Sir Walter Scott's "Mystery of all Mysteries"

Within this wonderous volume lies
The mystery of all mysteries.
Happiest they of human race
to whom their God has given grace
to read, to fear, to hope, to pray;
to lift the latch, to find the way.
And better had they ne'er been born,
who read to doubt or read to scorn.

Sir Walter Scott wrote about the Holy Bible

The Greatest Book on Earth (Poem)

This is the greatest book on earth,
Unparalleled it stands;
Its author God, its truth Divine,
Inspired in every word and line,
Tho' writ by human hands.

This is the living rock of truth
Which all assaults defies
O'er every stormy blast of time
It towers with majesty sublime;
It lives, and never dies.

This is the volume of the Cross;
Its doctrine pure, its history true,
Its Gospel old, yet ever new,
Shall evermore endure.

by J. Sidlow Baxter

A New Definition does not make the CORRECT DEFINITION false.

I was with an old friend a few days ago and heard a "bible" teacher give a new definition of the "inspiration" of the Scriptures. It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut. The bottom line was that "inspiration" does not necessarily mean that the facts are correct, it has to do with what God is trying to teach us about how to live. No!!! The time honored meaning of "inspiration" as it refers to the Bible is that the Bible is without error in all that it affirms.

Dr. John Bechtle writes:
"Some theologians teach that the Bible is inspired and authoritative, and that it is an accurate revelation of what God wants us to know about salvation—but they leave room for minor errors in non-crucial areas. One theologian, for instance, says that the Holy Spirit's work in inspiring the Bible only guarnteed “selectivity of events and accuracy of reporting and interpretation sufficient to achieve God's purpose throughout the rest of man's existence” (Dewey Beegle, Inspiration of Scripture, p. 190).

However, classic Christianity rests on the assurance that the Bible is completely accurate. It may contain statements that are (1) figures of speech, (2) non-technical descriptions, or (3) difficult to understand. But actual errors would fall into a different kind of category. If there are any errors in Scripture, no matter how small, the book can no longer be our standard of truth. I become the standard of truth, as I determine which Bible statements are right and which are wrong. And if I can't trust God to get the facts straight on things like dates and measurements (where I can check on Him), why should I expect Him to be more accurate in areas like sin and salvation (where I can't check on Him)?

The Bible doesn't use the word “inerrant,” but the idea is obvious.

■Psalm 19:7-9—“The law of the Lord is perfect… the testimony of the Lord is sure… the commandment of the Lord is pure… the judgments of the Lord are true forever.”
■Psalm 119:43—“the word of truth.”
■Psalm 119:142—“Thy law is the truth.”
■Psalm 119:160—“Thy word is true from the beginning.”
■John 17:17—“Thy word is truth.”
An inaccurate Bible contradicts God's character quality of absolute truthfulness.

■Titus 1:2—“God who cannot lie.”
■Hebrews 6:18—“It is impossible for God to lie.”
Some consider this a minor issue, but the idea that the Bible contains errors opens the door to serious spiritual danger. When people decide they have the authority to label one verse as a mistake, they soon find others that they consign to the “error” category. I've watched it happen over the years. Each generation rejects more and more Scripture, as it gets in the way of their own opinion."

Bending Light

I just read a scientific article about a material, metaflex, being developed in Scotland that "bends" light waves. Already successful in bending long frequency light waves, they believe that they have now solved the problem with short frequency (visible light) waves which require manipulating much smaller light bending molecules. Fully developed, an invisibility cloak could be produced that when worn would render a person invisible. Of course an eye hole would be required so the wearer could see where he was walking. So, if you see an eyeball floating down the sidewalk about five and a half feet off the ground, rest assured that you're not hallucinating. Somebody is wearing their new "invisibility cloak".

Talking about "bending light" - we are in an age (and we were warned it would come) when "light", that is, "truth" is being bent in such a way that it is rendering "real" truth or "true" truth almost invisible. Truths that were highly "visible" 150 years ago have all but "disappeared". For example: the wrath of God, the torments of hell, personal responsibility, judgement day, worldliness, holiness, love expressed with more than words, (how many times have I heard "I love you Joe" as the dagger slides betweem my ribs near my backbone?), true forgiveness, the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible, telling the truth when it might cost you something, the incarnation of the one true God (The Word was God and the Word, Jesus, became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1-14)

I'm getting sick of all the "bent light" that's flickering around us. Give me the STRAGHT TRUTH.

What Kind of a Leader Are You?

A poor leader creates fear, a good leader confidence. A poor leader fixes blame, a good leader corrects mistakes. A poor leader knows all, a good leader asks questions. A poor leader makes work drudgery, a good leader makes it interesting.

Adapted

Let the show go on

Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.

English Proverb