Monthly Archives: November 2016

Have We Lost The Forest In The Trees?

photo-samuel-scrimshawPerhaps we have lost the big picture to all the details of the day. There seems to me to be an inability to see the forest in many ways. What are you seeing?

Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, Jesus was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

It seems to me that the main thing isn’t the main thing anymore.

Our culture seems to be missing important things like love, honor, charity, and morality, all because we do not want to offend anyone. We build our walls of race and economic divide or move the ministry to the people out of the way of the TV cameras. Similar to Jesus’ disciples, are we not missing something here?

On a regular basis, I see young couples failing in their relationships and people of all ages suffering rejection and bitterness, because parents and children can no longer communicate at any level. Business and social structures are turned upside down by warped ideologies that are based on greed or control. I propose that what seems right because, “that is the way everyone is doing it,” is in actuality very wrong!

Prov 14:12-16

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter, the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. 15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. 16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,

NKJV

So, why point this out? Rediscovering the real forest and not getting tangled up in the trees is a high vision that will change the day you live in. Perspective is important, if you want to have a big vision. I believe it is important to pay attention to the details, but ask any artist about the value of stepping back and seeing the big picture from time to time.

The foundations of American life have been attacked and much damage has been done. There is a crossroad, a clearing, a vantage point that is available. His name is Jesus; His word is true; His wisdom and ways are good. Will we stop and rediscover the forest? Or, will we continue being lost among the trees not knowing we are in grave danger!

My friend, unless we become like little children, we will not see the kingdom of God, nor a great nation called America. Unless we run to Him and let His hands and blessings be upon us, we will not prosper as a people. May God grant us eyes to see the forest, not just the trees.

IN GOD WE TRUST!

by Fred Hughes

This and other Posts can be found at our websites.

www.byfredhughes.com ~ www.decision1.org

What Color Are Your Doors?

photo-by-zbysiu-rodak-large

What Color Are Your Doors?

How do people perceive your entry points?

Honestly, how do you think people see your accessibility? Can they enter at all? Is there a sign out front of your face, business, or brand that says: CLOSED!

We have to start at the top because critical ownership has to be taken. Personal, Corporate, and even in the Brand someone has to own it! So, let me point out a few things that top leadership must look at.

Number 1) “What color are your doors?”

“To enter or not to enter?” that is the question every client/buyer/student/investor/parishioner/family member/friend/social contact are asking themselves. Is this place painted fun or drab? Is it an institution or a home? Am I about to experience something Joyful or Intimidating? What is the color of the atmosphere, bright and open, or secretive and dark? Leadership sets the color scheme, and everything else has to function within that environment. McDonald’s and Subway spend a lot of money establishing the color, texture, style, and font in the signage; they must match the design scheme. Even the landscaping on the outside of the building must match the overall color… branding. The face the public will first encounter, the door they will enter into, must carry the specific branding message you want to convey.

The atmosphere of leadership sets the tone in the workplace, in the community, in the family and in every leader personally! There must be a leader that will set the color of the doorway! This establishes and affirms the mood and character of the staff, workmen, employees, volunteers, and family members. Finally, the color of the brand is the basic building block of the direction and destiny of the business, organization, family unit, church or group. I hope by now you are understanding that leadership in every facet of life sets the color of the doors! The identity of the business, organization, or family is established by leadership.

Number 2) Where do your doors lead?

The brand and leadership are vital, but there has to be some substance and integrity behind the colorful doors and clever enticements!

Is there real value behind the doors? When they pull the curtain and show, what is behind door #3? Will it be a worthless deception or a valuable prize?  Does the value match or exceed the perceived expectations?

Over deliver and under promise or over promise and under deliver! You have to watch this constantly! Things shift and change continually and can not be ignored. It is vital to every level of relationship. Trust is earned slowly and lost quickly. Set a guard and a guide at this door!

The guard at the door is set there to watch for outside influences that want to come in and change the dynamics and alter the course. Guard against vision-destructive outsiders who have an agenda of their own. The guide at the door is there to help people capture the vision and find a place at the table, a friend they can trust.

Number 3) What opportunities will your doors open?

It is great to discover good products and dependable friendly people, but is there more? Are there other opportunities available to people, if they are looking for more? Job opportunities? Affiliate programs? Professional relationships? Will they find more beyond that door? Leaders develop “More;” it never happens by accident. Someone always chooses the color and decides what the atmosphere will be. The color of your doors should complement what is found inside and more!

The Bible story of Joseph tells of a coat of many colors given in love by his father. Joseph was despised by his brothers, and his coat was used to identify the tragedy. But it was not the coat that mattered, it was the person to whom the coat belonged that was important. Leaders are like Joseph: their character and endurance produce the true color of their integrity. What color are your doors?

by Fred Hughes

Find other posts by Fred at our websites.

www.byfredhughes.com ~ www.decision1.org

America’s Opportunity Awaits

whatiseeforamerica

 

There is a spiritual war for America going on. We have seen Republicans and Democrats going to battle over control of the country for the past several months. Now the people have made a selection, right or wrong, we made a choice. A transition will take place in the American leadership.  I truly believe in our founding father’s declaration “In God We Trust.” They certainly understood these peaceful transitions would need divine assistance.

“The nation who needs no God is the nation who must live under the tyranny of mere men. ” ~Fred Hughes~

The American vote places a very special authority in the hands of the people. Americans who are also Christians have an even greater authority. We have a spiritual authority with even greater and more powerful influence than our vote. We have a voice that is heard by God, and we have the ability to hear God’s response. There are many enemies who want to destroy the voice of the vote and the voice of God speaking to His people. We must realize the truth that sets men free is the truth of God’s word.

(Ephesians 6:10-12) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

It is sad to say, but Christians forget, or have never known the authority that is available to them as a believer. We, who are in the body of Christ, need to discover what authority God has given us, find out what is under our authority, and start operating in it. It is not flesh and blood, Democrats and Republicans, that we are at war with.

(2 Corinthians 10:3-5) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Jesus gave us a few responsibilities. The authority he placed in our hands must be appropriated by us! God is not going to do things he told us to do. We are here to accomplish the job he asked us to do. The early residents of these United States took these spiritual duties seriously.

(Matthew 28:18-20) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This great commission was given to Christ followers. In America the nations have come to us, we do not even have to “go” the nations are here! We have lots of churches but not enough disciple makers. If we do not make disciples of them, they will soon make disciples of our children and friends following their gods and ways. We already see this in our schools and universities today. We must obey the commission and use the authority given to us in Matthew 28:19-20

Our nation, as I see it, is at a pivotal point. If we return to the foundations of freedom our country was built upon, then we will have a great nation. If we follow our founding fathers who wisely followed Jesus, we will have an even greater nation. The men and women who established this great experiment called democracy were Christians who valued the authority of God. These great Americans who set before us as an example, a great government, established by faith in a loving God in whom we can confidently place our trust. This is the pivotal moment, will we recognize it? If so, then, we too will have the freedom they possessed.

We have the authority and the directive to get America Born Again! Then, she can be Great Again! America’s opportunity awaits!

Imagine what would happen if we invested as much money, air-time, and round-game effort into promoting the Kingdom of God as we do for an election.

That is what I see for America. “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” God Bless America.

Fred Hughes

www.decision1.org ~ www.byfredhughes.com