leaders/dressing myself/integrity

Just got back from a Ministry Community meeting at church. Once a month all of the small group leaders get together for some training and discussion. If I were honest, I'd have to say I don't always look forward to these meetings, not because they're boring or anything, but because it's just one more thing. Well, tonight I couldn't have come away from there any more excited. It's just plain exciting to see what God is doing in our church right now. There are new families every week, and there has been so much growth in people's lives.

The tough part is that we're growing so fast right now, that we need more leaders...for small groups, and other stuff too. Some of the small groups are bursting at the seams, and Mike just split one of his groups, so now he's leading two groups. But it's all good :) I'm really pumped about starting another worship team soon.

Hey....funny story. Forgot to wear my shirt to work today. Well...sort of...sometimes it's cold at work, 'cause the door to the back is constantly open for receiving, so I like to wear a shirt underneath my work shirt. We've got these fancy shmancy dri-fit super breathable golf shirts, and they're great, but they're a little drafty in winter. So anywhooos, I'm walking around the house in my long johns and a plain black t-shirt. Normally when I get dressed, I get dressed, but for some reason today I only got half dressed. I was kind of in a hurry on the way out, and I put on my pants, but forgot the shirt. I felt like a bit of a slob without my work shirt, so it gave me an excuse to buy a real nice golf shirt I've been eyeing for a while. Guaranteed tonight I'll have one of those nasty nightmares where I show up at highschool in my gitch and a blanket. It's tough to open your locker and grab your books when you're trying to keep a blanket around you!

So I'm reading this book called "Against the Wind". On the cover it says "finishing well in a world of compromise". The part I'm at right now is talking about integrity. Being a person who is consistent. The same at work, at church, with my friends...doing what I say, being who I claim to be. Not an easy task. I'm a pretty easy-going kinda guy. I don't think I've met anybody that I couldn't get along with. But I need to be careful that I don't compromise who I am or what I believe in an attempt to be liked by someone, or to avoid ruffling a few feathers .

Proverbs 12:9 "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out"

Being different things to different people is bound to catch up with you in the end. It's just like lying. It's hard to remember the different versions that you've told to different people. I know...I used to have a big problem with that. The truth may not be as extravagant as the stories I could come up with, and sometimes it carries bigger immediate consequences, but you never have to try and remember your story.

Speaking of integrity, had a little test at work the other day. Had a customer from somewhere way down south who was not particularly well educated. Sold him a bike, and when I told him it was $480, he pulled $600 U.S. cash out of his wallet, handed it to me without counting it, and asked if it was enough. There was no one else around, and I had three options...tell him that it was enough, and pocket the extra $120 US as a tip, tell him that it was enough and put the extra $120 in the cash register, or tell him that his $600 was actually worth a lot more, and give him the right change. It would have been the easiest thing in the world to keep it...all he new was that he was getting a really good deal on the bike, and he was prepared to spend all of his money on it. Well, I had to make a decision quick, and I'm ashamed to say that the thought of keeping the extra money even crossed my mind, but it did. Anywhooos, I told him to go to the bank next door and that they would give him more money for his u.s. cash (I wasn't sure what the exchange rate is like now, so it's easiest to just send 'em to the bank). He came back and said thanks for telling him. Maybe it was easier to do the right thing because it was a significant amount. But everyday we are confronted with tiny decisions we may not even notice any more that reflect on our integrity. And the only way to become a person of integrity is to make the right decisions...one small one at a time...every time. And so I will try. I'm trying to read as much as I can...the Bible is so chocked full of wisdom...if I can at least learn a few things the easy way, I think I'll be better off.

Anywhoos, gotta hit the sack...got a breakfast meeting at work tomorrow...kinda sucks 'cause I work from 12:30 'til 9, but hey....it's a free breakfast! (and a good time with my co-workers :) Haven't posted anything about work in a long time...and that's 'cause things are going great. I've realized it's all about attitude, and allowing God to use you where you're at now, rather that where you wish you were. And it helps that I work with some great people.

G'night!