David CM Bell Leadership Blog

 John 4:39-42  - Belief by Hearing the Good News          Ya gotta hear it for yourself.  That's what the Bible says.  Hear from God yourself.   Many people will come to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior today.  They will hear that Jesus died on the Cross to pay for their sins.  Uniquely, they will hear that God loves them and that the Son was sent to earth to be lifted high on the Cross so that anyone who believes in Him will be made right with God and have everlasting life.  Born again!  God’s Kingdom is gloriously advancing, one soul at a time.           We see in the example of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman that God indeed does take the initiative for people to believe Jesus is the Savior of the world (John 4:42 and 1 John 4:14).  But it is not at all, as some man-made theories say.  Jesus does not magically change Nicodemus’ heart, mind, or soul.  G...

 John 4:1-38  - The Hockey Dressing Room          We'll get into the great story of the Samaritan Woman in a second, but first a thought on the church and getting real with God.   If you are like me, a lot of sermons have gone in one ear and out the other.  You could say the same thing about hockey coaches’ lessons.          In my hockey career (as nasty, brutish, and short as it was)  I loved a fast-paced practice.  Those are the practices where the team goes immediately from one drill to the next.  When I played for Barry MacKenzie in Notre Dame (SJHL, 1988-89) it was like that.  “Bear” could somehow squish two practices into one.  Exhausting, but fun.  That’s one of the reasons he won national championships (he won one the year before I got to ND).           Okay, I know, pot calling the kettle black - I’ll get on with the point.  What does it ta...

 John 3:31-36  - A Christmas Carol         Charles Dickens' (1812-1870) famous novel, A Christmas Carol , is a wonderful tale of redemption through truth.  It's a magical tale but in it, we find biblical truth.  Though hard-headed and hard-hearted the protagonist eventually responds to a warning of the reality of what his future will hold if he doesn't change his ways.  Dickens shows us that all the signs of God's goodness and grace - even biblical signs built right into Scrooge's home oven by the Dutch manufacturer, were there all through Scrooge's life.  But Scrooge got farther and farther from God, and from goodness.  And like his doomed partner, Marley, Scrooge was on the precipice of disaster.  In the tale, Dickens uses Jacob Marley (Scrooge's deceased business partner) and various ghosts in dreams to provide the warning - like a prophet crying in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3-8).          ...

 John 3:36  Freedom and Responsibility           I want to speak briefly about two things today, freedom and responsibility.  Despite your circumstances or the status of your particular Supreme Court (yes I know my friends in Canada and elsewhere have it really bad right now) you do have God-given freedom of conscience and belief.          And the second thing, responsibility, starts with Genesis and ends with Revelation.  From the beginning to the end, God is asking us, politely mind you as His dominion is over Canadians as well, to take up the mantle of responsibility that He gives us.  I hope and pray that we man up as churchmen and women up as churchwomen.  Let’s take the rights given by God and respond humbly yet confidently serving our King.           Okay, that’s where we’re headed, but a quick pause for info.  I’ve been writing this blog before work for about t...

 John 3:10-21  Maturing - Be Coachable           A short(ish) blog today as I know you have stuff to do!  As brothers and sisters in Christ, it’s good for us to find ways to encourage and motivate each other to grow in Christ.  We are to be like Nicodemus, who could have been home sitting around a fire and watching Netflix with his wife, but instead, he went out and met with Jesus.  We are to be men and women of action.  The Bible tells us to be strong and courageous (we are the land of the free and the home of the brave!) (1 Chronicles 28:20).          So let's be strong and brave , but in a Christian way, not in an arrogant prideful way.  The Bible tells us to act in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and with a loyal heart (2 Chronicles 19:9).  Let that be our mindset.           A Christian is coachable; we're willing and able to humbly mature.  Like Ni...

 John 3:1-2 - Parenting: Be Approachable           I know John 3 isn’t directly about parenting.  But all of Scripture is the story of our Father and how He loves us, so stick with me on this one.  Plus, we had three of the grandkids over last night so that’s still what I’m thinking about this morning.  Archer (our four-year-old grandson) asked me just before it was time for them to leave, “Grandpa, can you please make me a ‘Kid’s coffee,’ I love them so much?”  I said, “Sure Arch, I’d love to.”  And I then made one for Arch and his big brother, Jack.  Kid’s coffee, BTW, is what I made our kids.  It is warmed milk with coffee creamer and a small spoon of sugar - terrible for their teeth, but they love it.           If you are a good parent, you want the best for your children (and grandchildren). You also think of them daily, pray for them, and reach out to them to inquire and encourage t...

  John 2:18 - Fresh Starts, Real Authority, & Strategic Planning           What kind of confidence do you need to proceed?  What do you need as a sign from God that you are on track and have the authority for what you are doing?  Do you stay in the job you are in?  Is it time to switch careers and focus on where you are passionate?  Where should you serve at church?  Where do our mission, vision, and strategic objectives come from?  And where does authority come from?  When we are convicted by God how should we confirm that conviction and how shouldn’t we?  Lots of good questions - I only want to give one simple suggestion in this blog, but if you’ve got time for coffee let me know and we can cover a few more.           I had a criminal law professor, Doug Schmeiser, who instructed his first-year law students to always question the authority of anyone going after our clients (tha...

 John 2:13-25 - Beer with Vance or Brunch with Baker           The church is desperate for authenticity, and genuine Christ followers.  Americans are desperate for good leaders, those who lead selflessly with hard work, intelligence, and grit.  We are sick of being lied to and sick of the hypocrisy.  It’s the same in the church.  The good news is that God shows us the way to authenticity and how to be good leaders.           I heard a local pastor a few years ago tell the congregation that if they ever see him drinking alcohol in a restaurant they should call for his resignation.  I too am for moderation and I have no problem with those who don't drink.  Good, great actually.  Yet the same legalists who preach legalistic messages are sometimes gorging themselves at the buffet and care nothing of transparency and living above reproach.  We all need to walk the walk.    ...

 John 2:1-5 You Are Perfect, Mom - I Love You           We’re great at talking, but generally not good at listening and obeying God.  The Bible repeatedly tells us that God will give believers the Holy Spirit to instruct us, work miracles among us, provide us with gifts including discernment, sanctify and purify us, and give us an overwhelming advantage through our faith in Christ Jesus (Luke 11:13, Acts 5:32, 2 Corinthians 5:5, Galatians 3:5, Ephesians 1:17, 1 John 4:13, John 16:7, Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, John 20:22, John 14:16-17, and 26, John 15:26, Acts 2:33, etc.).  Today is a great day to tell God what you want and to obey what He says.           You never really stop being a parent; the relationship just changes.  Eventually, we become more friends and trusted confidants; more trusted counsel.  The strong chords of the parent-child relationship are bound by love.  ...