"As a leader people don't always know where you are going or don't want to go where you are going."
My wife has a natural sense of direction. She knows inside where she is and what way she should go. She couldn't tell you North South East or West and sometimes gets right and left mixed up when giving me directions but if you were to ask her what way she could point and tell you "That way!"
I have known others who habitually lose their car in parking lots and who have to use their alarm to locate their car by listening for the sound of the car locking through the horn or the tone. I admittedly have used this method on occasion and have started off in a direction that later was corrected by my wife's confident "That way" instruction.
When I look at the statement from last year I see the essential quality of a leader is so simple. Point people in the direction you know they should be going and tell them "That way". Leaders lead; both in example and in instruction. You could also say in word and in deed.
People won't know where you are going unless you tell them. Communication is key. I get so frustrated with myself when I know I haven't communicated and things go wrong. It is on me at that point. When we communicate and point out the way it helps others to have a clear vision and almost always they will reach or exceed the goal.
If people don't want to go in the direction you are going then it is your job as a leader to get them on board. Once again it is vital to communicate. The question is one of value. Start with the ultimate value of following God. Are we following the true leader? Is it in the Bible? Once you can say yes with confidence then ask if it is a problem of leadership, vision or style. Two of those are easy to overcome. The real leader is God and if he has put me here then trust His choice and let's do this together. If it is a matter of style is there a better way or can you trust that this style will work to accomplish our goals? The last of the three is the biggest hurdle. If they have a problem with the vision then it is time to rehearse the vision, identify the outcomes and hear the objections. Don't be afraid to look at criticisms. It may help the vision get stronger. But if it is found to be negativity or undue then follow the vision and invite them along.
What are some other obstacles you have encountered as a leader and how do we overcome them? How do you communicate vision?
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Day 127 - Capacity
“God has always given us more than we can handle but never more than we can bear.”
Eleven men were not able to handle the gospel and the church. Neither were the 120 able to handle the outpouring of the Spirit that was about to take place on the day of Pentecost. The Apostle Paul couldn't handle being the Apostle to the Gentiles and what he would suffer because of his calling. The great men and women we have as heroes of faith throughout the ages couldn't handle their God assignments and neither can you and neither can I.
But we can bear it.
What is the difference? God knows our capacity. He gives us more than we can handle because His plan is much larger than our capacity. We wouldn't go as far, see as much, dream as big or ask large enough for His plan. So He gives us greater amounts than we can handle.
But we can bear it.
How? By His grace (His sovereign divine ability to get the job done on our behalf when we can't do it). He gives us strength to succeed. We can do all things through Christ. Even if it is more than I can handle I know I can bear it because God will make up the difference. When I am weak He is strong.
We can bear it.
Have you seen God give you greater capacity? What does the phrase from the Bible "When I am weak He is strong" mean to you?
Eleven men were not able to handle the gospel and the church. Neither were the 120 able to handle the outpouring of the Spirit that was about to take place on the day of Pentecost. The Apostle Paul couldn't handle being the Apostle to the Gentiles and what he would suffer because of his calling. The great men and women we have as heroes of faith throughout the ages couldn't handle their God assignments and neither can you and neither can I.
But we can bear it.
What is the difference? God knows our capacity. He gives us more than we can handle because His plan is much larger than our capacity. We wouldn't go as far, see as much, dream as big or ask large enough for His plan. So He gives us greater amounts than we can handle.
But we can bear it.
How? By His grace (His sovereign divine ability to get the job done on our behalf when we can't do it). He gives us strength to succeed. We can do all things through Christ. Even if it is more than I can handle I know I can bear it because God will make up the difference. When I am weak He is strong.
We can bear it.
Have you seen God give you greater capacity? What does the phrase from the Bible "When I am weak He is strong" mean to you?
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Day 126 - Just My Luck
"We went on a hike in Oak Glen with the family. It was fun but cold. I don't know why both times we have done this hike this year it has been bitter cold."
Have you ever had reoccurring things happen to you that made you think "Well, that is just my luck"? It seems like sometimes when things happen like this we raise an eyebrow and wonder if there is any significance.
I am not sure that there always is or isn't. What I do know is that God has ordained all of our steps, every day is the day that the Lord has made and He is working all things for my good. So what if it is a cold day both times I went hiking at the same spot?! We had fun and I probably would have enjoyed a cold hike more than a hot one!
We have to watch our attitudes. Otherwise complaints creep in and eventually we speak negative stuff over our lives. Perfectly good days get ruined with complaints. Look for the silver lining and speak what God says. It is a good day. God is doing something good on my behalf. My steps are ordered of the Lord! (Try it out right now and see if you're not smiling by the time you're finished.)
Have you had experiences that made you wonder if it was 'just your luck'? What are some other positive confessions from the Word we can speak over our day?
Have you ever had reoccurring things happen to you that made you think "Well, that is just my luck"? It seems like sometimes when things happen like this we raise an eyebrow and wonder if there is any significance.
I am not sure that there always is or isn't. What I do know is that God has ordained all of our steps, every day is the day that the Lord has made and He is working all things for my good. So what if it is a cold day both times I went hiking at the same spot?! We had fun and I probably would have enjoyed a cold hike more than a hot one!
We have to watch our attitudes. Otherwise complaints creep in and eventually we speak negative stuff over our lives. Perfectly good days get ruined with complaints. Look for the silver lining and speak what God says. It is a good day. God is doing something good on my behalf. My steps are ordered of the Lord! (Try it out right now and see if you're not smiling by the time you're finished.)
Have you had experiences that made you wonder if it was 'just your luck'? What are some other positive confessions from the Word we can speak over our day?
Monday, May 4, 2015
Day 125 - Next Generation Ninja Turtles
"We decided to reward the kids for good grades and they wanted to spend some of their money so at Toys R Us they got some toys they liked. It is fun to see the second generation of toys we had as kids. Micah got a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. I always liked Michelangelo but he wanted Leonardo because he was blue."
There is nothing new under the sun. Did you know that is in the Bible? I love seeing what they have done with the toys we had as kids. It is like I get to relive all my childhood memories through the eyes of my children. Thank goodness my mom kept some Lego's and transformers!
Speaking of which I wish the Transformer's movies were more accessible to kids. What fun is a childhood memory you can't enjoy with the kids? On another note they really have done a great job with the Lego Movie and isn't Barbie's life in the dream house hilarious? (I'm asking for a friend...)
What can we learn from all this? Well...if you don't like the way things are wait a little while and they will change. Much like the weather in the Midwest. You can count on things that you do like coming around every so often. Also cherish the times you have and when you can enjoy them with someone else have fun with it.
That is my take, what lesson do you see in all this? What were your favorite toys when you were a kid?
There is nothing new under the sun. Did you know that is in the Bible? I love seeing what they have done with the toys we had as kids. It is like I get to relive all my childhood memories through the eyes of my children. Thank goodness my mom kept some Lego's and transformers!
Speaking of which I wish the Transformer's movies were more accessible to kids. What fun is a childhood memory you can't enjoy with the kids? On another note they really have done a great job with the Lego Movie and isn't Barbie's life in the dream house hilarious? (I'm asking for a friend...)
What can we learn from all this? Well...if you don't like the way things are wait a little while and they will change. Much like the weather in the Midwest. You can count on things that you do like coming around every so often. Also cherish the times you have and when you can enjoy them with someone else have fun with it.
That is my take, what lesson do you see in all this? What were your favorite toys when you were a kid?
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Day 124 - Gravity
"It was like gravity; people just came rushing to the altar."
My brother in law was ministering on this day last year. Before he got into the message the Spirit called out for people to give their hearts to the Lord and get saved. He called out in one of the services that there were ten more people and ten people came like they were being pulled from orbit into the atmosphere. It was like gravity.
There is an old movie that they were adding mass to a planet in order to make it into a star. The more they added the more the core heated up and eventually it would set ablaze and light up. Momentum is like that. When God is doing something He blesses and increases and makes it come alive with light and a glow everyone can feel the warmth from.
Even our lives, as we shine forth the goodness of God, will attract others. We are to set ourselves on fire and let others come and warm up to the glow of God's goodness in our lives.
What attracts you to God like gravity? How can we shine the light of God's goodness to others?
My brother in law was ministering on this day last year. Before he got into the message the Spirit called out for people to give their hearts to the Lord and get saved. He called out in one of the services that there were ten more people and ten people came like they were being pulled from orbit into the atmosphere. It was like gravity.
There is an old movie that they were adding mass to a planet in order to make it into a star. The more they added the more the core heated up and eventually it would set ablaze and light up. Momentum is like that. When God is doing something He blesses and increases and makes it come alive with light and a glow everyone can feel the warmth from.
Even our lives, as we shine forth the goodness of God, will attract others. We are to set ourselves on fire and let others come and warm up to the glow of God's goodness in our lives.
What attracts you to God like gravity? How can we shine the light of God's goodness to others?
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Day 123 - Work in Progress
"Thank God He is gracious and kind and isn't finished with any of us yet."
God has forgiven us and with that forgiveness cast our sin as far as the East is from the West. While we live in this present truth we also know that there is still a war in the flesh against the spirit. In 1 John we are told that if we say we have no sin we are liars. Thank God He offers not only past forgiveness but also present forgiveness if we confess and repent.
Knowing this isn't enough. We must live in it. If God isn't finished with me then I know that tomorrow is going to be better than today. I also can forgive myself and strive to do better with every life lesson.
If God isn't finished with others then I can be patient with them, just as God is patient with me. I also can extend the same forgiveness that God gave me.
Finally if I know all this then I should be the most grateful person on the planet. He who has been forgiven much loves much. A thank you should be on our lips every moment of every day.
Have you seen growth over the years while God patiently worked with you or others? What other applications do you see that we can live in this truth?
God has forgiven us and with that forgiveness cast our sin as far as the East is from the West. While we live in this present truth we also know that there is still a war in the flesh against the spirit. In 1 John we are told that if we say we have no sin we are liars. Thank God He offers not only past forgiveness but also present forgiveness if we confess and repent.
Knowing this isn't enough. We must live in it. If God isn't finished with me then I know that tomorrow is going to be better than today. I also can forgive myself and strive to do better with every life lesson.
If God isn't finished with others then I can be patient with them, just as God is patient with me. I also can extend the same forgiveness that God gave me.
Finally if I know all this then I should be the most grateful person on the planet. He who has been forgiven much loves much. A thank you should be on our lips every moment of every day.
Have you seen growth over the years while God patiently worked with you or others? What other applications do you see that we can live in this truth?
Friday, May 1, 2015
Day 122 - Stress Dreams
"I can tell the pressure is on me. I had a dream that it was the day before the event and swarms of volunteers were coming and we were setting up but the grass was all dead."
This is a pretty tame dream for me. I have had dreams that I just stepped out of the shower and was wearing only a towel and walked out on to the stage where I was to preach. Talk about a stressful dream!
I have noticed that when the pressure is on I tend to have these types of dreams. I am not sure that there is a deeper meaning to be interpreted other than that no one likes being undressed in front of a crowd. I know for the dream I had last year I wanted everything just right for the event and my mind went to dead grass to express the concern and stress of the process leading to the event.
The answer to all of this is prayer...and Bruce Lee.
Let me explain. The first year I did a Men's Conference at the church I wasn't able to sleep at all. I don't know which is worse, stressful dreams or not being able to sleep. You end up tired in the morning either way. Since I couldn't sleep I got up and went downstairs. My back was hurting. I brought the stress to the Lord and gave it to Him in prayer. I love that the Bible gives us permission to cast our cares on God. He can handle them when we can't. He knows them already and knows what He, or we, will do with the situation.
After praying and casting my cares I got a massage pad on my chair to relax my back and watched a Bruce Lee martial arts movie. There is no cure for cares like prayer and a kicking karate movie. After releasing the cares and watching the bad guys get beat I slept like a baby.
Okay, if you don't like movies maybe there is another stress relief you can use in the natural to partner with the spiritual stress relief. Exercise, journaling, music and art are all ways I release the stress of the day and get my focus off the stress and problems.
Have you ever had a stress dream? What are some natural ways you relive stress?
This is a pretty tame dream for me. I have had dreams that I just stepped out of the shower and was wearing only a towel and walked out on to the stage where I was to preach. Talk about a stressful dream!
I have noticed that when the pressure is on I tend to have these types of dreams. I am not sure that there is a deeper meaning to be interpreted other than that no one likes being undressed in front of a crowd. I know for the dream I had last year I wanted everything just right for the event and my mind went to dead grass to express the concern and stress of the process leading to the event.
The answer to all of this is prayer...and Bruce Lee.
Let me explain. The first year I did a Men's Conference at the church I wasn't able to sleep at all. I don't know which is worse, stressful dreams or not being able to sleep. You end up tired in the morning either way. Since I couldn't sleep I got up and went downstairs. My back was hurting. I brought the stress to the Lord and gave it to Him in prayer. I love that the Bible gives us permission to cast our cares on God. He can handle them when we can't. He knows them already and knows what He, or we, will do with the situation.
After praying and casting my cares I got a massage pad on my chair to relax my back and watched a Bruce Lee martial arts movie. There is no cure for cares like prayer and a kicking karate movie. After releasing the cares and watching the bad guys get beat I slept like a baby.
Okay, if you don't like movies maybe there is another stress relief you can use in the natural to partner with the spiritual stress relief. Exercise, journaling, music and art are all ways I release the stress of the day and get my focus off the stress and problems.
Have you ever had a stress dream? What are some natural ways you relive stress?
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