Integrity on the way to the ballgame

"He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity" (Proverbs 2:7, ESV).

Funny thing happened on Friday night. I flew back to Houston after an incredible few days in Louisville. We met some friends for a quick dinner before the neighborhood high school ballgame. Someone offered a free pass to the ballgame ($5) but it would have meant that we were dishonest about who were worked for...since the intention of the pass was not for us. We turned it down and gladly paid the $10 ($5 each) to get into the game, knowing that it was the right thing to do. (Let's be honest, we can all use any extra we can get these days.) Upon giving our ticket to the girl at the entrance gate, the policeman grabbed the tickets from Dana's hand and asked him to wait there. He came back, shoved a $10 bill into Dana's hand, and "comped" him for the tickets! We had his three kids in the youth group at church years ago. It was a blessing and it was fun to catch up.

Here's the point: what if we had used the pass? He would have known that we were getting in "illegally" and we would have thrown away 20 years of integrity. It was an amazing reminder that as leaders, we are to have integrity in all we say and do...because God has integrity..He IS integrity. He is right and honest and holy. As we live out our lives, our best witness may be while living out the character of God.

May God continue to be our shield as we walk in His integrity.

Don't forget to come to the W conference! http://events.sbts.edu/wconference

His Character in Us

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galations 5:22-23, ESV).


“What does God’s character look like in us? The result of the Spirit of God in our lives can be seen through the fruit of the Spirit. It seems like such a basic Christian principle but in fact, these traits are the very things that give leaders the most trouble. It is not the big things that get us; it is the little things. Things like not being nice to people, not controlling our anger, being impatient or agitated, forgetting that the one who is standing at our desks, interrupting our ministry, is our ministry. It is understood that most of those who are asked to leave staff ministry positions are asked to do so because of people problems. It is sad to think that this is true. We are to be so connected to God that many of our immediate reactions are tempered by the Holy Spirit working in us. When we do blow it, we should be coming back and apologizing to everyone involved. None of us is perfect and that is the main reason that we stay in tune and allow the Spirit of God to work in us and the result of Him be seen no matter what the circumstance.” (excerpt from Women Leading Women, chapter four, B&H Academic, Martin & Stovall).
Dear God, please please please work in me this day! Amen.

“Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12) .