real wisdom

James 3:17 (NLT)
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

My wife and I had one of those moments that you will cherish and remember for a long time.  We woke this morning to more rain in Los Angeles.  It doesn't rain here very often, but it has here for the past 3 days.  Yet our trip has not been dampened by the weather.  This morning we had an appointment to meet with the pastoral care leader and associate pastor of the Dream Center, Pastor Clarence Olsson.  

Clarence is a kind and gentle man from Sweden.  His accent is one of those you love to listen to.  He is also Pastor Matthew Barnett's father-in-law.  He and I began talking several months ago about the beginning of The Community Dream Center in our town.  Clarence opened the door for our team to visit about a month ago and for Julie and I to return this week.  Before today this gentleman had already helped our ministry step to the next level.

We made our way to our appointment and had to climb 8 flights of stairs.  Lets just say we are out of shape.  At the 8th floor we ran into our friend Joel Freebairn.  He is a giant of a man in more ways than one, faith and maybe close to 7 feet tall.  Our meeting was behind a door I had never been through before.  It is the room where staff meetings happen and vision is unleashed here at the Dream Center.  Honestly, it was an honor to see that room where so much ministry has been birthed, prayed over and stretched some of God's people.

Pastor Clarence welcomed us into his office where we met for more than an hour.  Each of us shared.  I asked question after question about the workings of the Dream Center and it's ministry.  Toward the end of our conversation we talked more about personal things going on in our lives.  I asked Pastor Clarence how I could pray for him, and with a humble glance and with conviction he asked us to pray for wisdom.  Just one word.  But that is powerful word.

Each of us needs wisdom in big ways from God.  We are lost without God.  During these 60 plus minutes this gentle man poured into our lives from the decades of his life, marriage and ministry.  We heard stories and took a good look at the passion behind those who lead the Dream Center.  I pray and will continue to pray that God pours his wisdom on Pastor Clarence.

After leaving the meeting and with my own conviction and deep need for wisdom, I remembered how often I meet people who lean on and look for wisdom inside their selves and away from God.  It is each to do.  We must be careful to not let that happen in our lives.  We desperately need God's wisdom as we lead people.

Jeremiah 10:21 (NLT)
The shepherds of my people have lost their senses.They no longer seek wisdom from the Lord.Therefore, they fail completely,and their flocks are scattered.

Seek God.  Ask for His wisdom because he loves to give to his children.  That is you and me.  His wisdom can make us more successful and lead us to more lives being changed than we have ever dreamed up on our own.  Without God's wisdom, we are lost.  At that point it is time to shut the book, put a nail in the door and walk away to do something else.  Yet when we trust God and follow His wisdom nothing can stop us.  We will find renewed passion.  We will find refocus for ministry and for our families.  We will find more people coming face to face with God.  All that because of God's wisdom.  Maybe that is why Proverbs is so important to my life.

James 3:17 (NLT) 
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

Join me in asking God for real wisdom today.  I am grateful for mean like Clarence Olsson who have brought wisdom from God into my life.  That is real wisdom!