I’ve been an Assemblies of God church member for most of my life. I thank God that I really didn’t know about the "women in ministry" debates until I got much older. That was God ’cause I hate politics and if I had known, I might not have become involved in ministry. Check out what the state of women is in AG here.

Interested in being surrounded by million dollar homes? Then check this out

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Across the country the Hispanic population is our fastest-growing population group. Given this short window of opportunity, it is crucial that we start putting churches and ministries in place now to serve this important group.

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7 Myths about Credibility and Leadership
by Leadership Discipleship Resources LLC

There are several popular myths about leadership and credibility. To develop true credibility we need to guard ourselves from believing the myths because they do not develop true credibility.

MYTH 1: Image is more important than CHARACTER.
Truth: We develop credibility when character is more important than image. Credibility crumbles without integrity. We can pretend to be honest, genuine, and competent for a time, but the pressure of problems reveals our true character.

MYTH 2: Leaders have more RIGHTS than followers.
Truth: Position does not grant special privileges. Leaders actually have fewer rights and more responsibility than others. Servant leaders give up their rights and make personal sacrifices which in turn increases credibility.

MYTH 3: Leadership is a POSITION of power.
Truth: Leadership has little to do with position. Leadership and credibility have more to do with character, commitment, and competence than with position.

MYTH 4: A leader can lead by position regardless of EXAMPLE.
Truth: A credible leader leads by example not by the power of position. A leader who does not model his expectations will not have followers for very long. A personal example of integrity builds credibility more than the role or position a leader has.

MYTH 5: CHARISMA is fundamental to leadership.
Truth: This erroneous view can lead to hero worship and cultism. Charisma is the result not the cause of effective credible leadership. Charisma that is viewed simply as a personality trait is shallow. Charisma is really the end result of a person who is credible because they demonstrate character, competence, commitment, and compassion. One who relies on their charismatic personality for credibility will find that it won’t endure. However, charisma is not necessary for authentic leadership. Other team members will follow when they we exhibit true credibility and leadership whether or not we have a charismatic personality.

MYTH 6: A leader’s personal and public life do not have to be CONGRUENT.
Truth: This is an attempt to excuse moral failures and character flaws. Credibility requires congruency and consistency in all areas of one’s life. The credible person will not have a gap between who they are in their private life and who they are in their public life.

MYTH 7: Integrity is not essential to SUCCESS.
Truth: If we define success in terms of money, position, or power, then integrity is not necessary. True success, however, is living in harmony with God’s principles and purposes. This requires integrity and builds true credibility.

Or so says the Japan Times, read about it here. Sure was for me!

I am not sure what it is about this time of year that stirs up all kinds of emotions in me. When I reflect on my past I don’t recall a time that I was without. Although, I was poor, a child of a single parent who was struggling, I never thought I was poor. Christmas I was travelling to Puerto Rico for a ethnic holiday up until 10 years old. I always had presents, my family always partied. So when I get into this "space" of reflection that takes me to tears, I wonder…where is this coming from?

A tradition we have in the Rios family is to watch Christmas movies…you know some of the classics like "It’s a Wonderful Life" to some of the newer ones like "Scrooge (Bill Murray version)," "Jingle All the Way," and the most recent addition to the viewing frenzy…"Elf".  I always cry in these movies. I wonder if it is the idealism in me…the one that wishes we could love more, be more, care more, express more…yeah, I think that is it. Yesterday, as we had a small gathering of friends and loved ones in my home, I played a song by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir called Happy Birthday Jesus. The first time I heard that song on my way to work on the radio, I cried. Again…because it took me to a place that I don’t see often. Even in the midst of our own kind…the ones that profess to remember the real reason for the season. I wanted to have a more reflective time yesterday, but I did not go for it. I felt the crowd would be bored and say Liz is taking this "way to serious". But I should have. Forgive me God. The significance of His birth has so impacted every human’s opportunity to one day go to the ideal place that we will never ever see this side of heaven.

The christmas spirit is on me, in me in a big way. I just want to shout from the mountain tops…I love you…Jesus. I love you…world. This spirit was never meant to be confined to just one day or the 12 days of Christmas or December. It was meant to be carried in our heart every day as a follower of Jesus.

Usually what happens to me is that at the end of the year, I think about what happened or did not happen in the year. The disappointments, the tragedies, the deaths, the betrayals, the let-downs. Not that I am a negative person but my idealism gets the better of me sometimes and I wonder why I still believe. But I am so GRATEFUL that I still BELIEVE. I have a more mature belief. One that accepts the good with the bad–because as the famous song says "He’s Been Faithful". At the end of the year, we have questions and yes, we see that we’ve even failed to believe at times…but He’s been faithful…faithful to me! 

I am going to try to keep this reminder in my heart. CHRISTmas..in Spanish it can be translated More Christ (Mas=More). I need more Christ to keep the spirit of Christmas in my heart and reflected in my interactions with people. No, I was (as usual) cash poor this season but I was full of deeper relationships with key friends and loved ones, I had a deeper walk with Christ and more understanding of my purpose and a renewed vision for my future. That is a great present to oneself. I thank God for that.

So as I reflect on this "Christmas Spirit" thang, all I can say is that its possible every day with more Christ, mas cristo. Selah.

Here are the ones that help my Christmas spirit barometer…

"The christian will face fears like anyone else, but can overcome them like no one else." - Richard Jordan, Professor of Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary

Merry Christmas everyone! This year I celebrate this wonderful holiday in my house. Last year on December 30th I brought the house I live in and well I am so happy to have it. I usually get melancholy during this time because "of course" I want to do more…get more gifts for people I think should get them, buy something "really nice" for my husband, etc. but for some reason I am always cash-poor even if I am joy-full. My husband surprised me yesterday…he brought me a cd player/radio for my car. I had a cassette player only and was always mentioning how I wish I could listen to my CD’s. I didn’t expect that. I was pleasantly surprised. He has been working so hard for the family with an extra job just for us to make ends meet (since I lost my other job and in the process that $30k). We just make it– no extra cushion for anything. Hiram literally saved Christmas. Without this extra job, my older son would have had a very bleak prospect of gift receipt even if we would have done our darnest to help him understand Christmas is not about gifts…but you know they want them especially kids. My husband is truly a family man…whatever he has to do. I truly so appreciate him and his love for his family…his kids. Speaking of kids check out Destiny’s Child singing a holiday favorite here.

I have this feeling though…2005 is going to be different. We can’t concentrate on a church plant especially with no backing from anyone…if we have financial concerns. I know God is going to make a way somehow for us to be able to do what we have to do financially –  I am not talking getting RICH, I am talking comfortable. So many wonderful things have happened since we said yes to God. Our commissioning service so to speak is happening on January 9. I am excited about the future but thank God for the "precious present". My sons are with me, no one is sick, we love each other deeply, we laugh together, we got a new dog, we had 9 wonderful years with our beloved Silas…hey, I will be merry tonight. Like the saying goes…"into every life a little rain must fall". Every circumstance in my life, YOUR life, will be used for good. No, they may not be good, even God would not say that BUT He can bring good things out of them. He promises to take EVERYTHING, good, bad, ugly and use those experiences to fashion something beautiful.  "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 –Let’s all hold on to that as we enter the reflection time between CHRISTmas and New Year’s.

Have a wonderfully, merry, joyful, Christ-filled day!

My job had a staff party today. In all my years of having a "staff party" I have NEVER, EVER had one that was so bah humbug-ish. It has to do with the boss, of course.  Everyone is unhappy. It is definitely not a healthy workplace. But the good news is that 2005 looks good for me. So far. I may get that job at Forum for Global Missions in Pompano Beach (www.forumforglobalmissions.org) and that will be fun. Not to say that all faith-based workplaces are "healthy" but at least you can talk about healthy workplaces, etc. etc. The people in my job are great. Beautifully unique people who love what they do…help people who have lost their sight find hope in the new life God has handed to them. For the most part, they do leave with more hope then when they came in. Unfortunately, a lazy board of directors, a control freak boss make one unhappy place.

Even in ALL that God has a purpose for letting me endure it. Hmm. I wonder. Learning how to deal with control freaks? Seeing first hand what bosses can do to those they are supposed to lead? Wow. I have learned alot. In addition to my school on organizational leadership, my workplace has been the school of unhealthy leadership and I have truly learned alot. I don’t ever want to be that way. Now God do you think you can help me out and get me out of there?

Today God spoke in the midst of our little union of three. Edna, my husband and I got together to pray and hear God’s voice. We started at 11 am and we began by listening to a few songs that reminded us about what God did for US. I as usual started crying and was in deep reflection about God’s grace, mercy and love for ME.

Hiram felt to share on something that had sprung into his spirit as he meditated on the music. He shared on John 4:34-38… "Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me and from finishing his work…."

We talked about that for awhile. Nourishment is a source of materials to nourish the body. We talked about how our nourishment will be going forward with this church plant. Doing His will. I have not felt more peace in doing something I really didn’t want to do but knew I had to do. Accepting the call is very interesting indeed because if you don’t accept it and fight it (like I had been doing) you are not at rest and when you accept it, you may still feel not ready but you feel like a rock was lifted from your chest. I’ve never experienced this before.

There was a sweet spirit in the Living Room today. God met us there. I am so thankful.