I read a story of a Sunday school teacher who was trying to impress his class with the importance of living a good, Christian life. “Why do people call me a Christian?” he asked. After a long pause one of the boys replied, “Maybe it’s because they don’t know you.” The Bible tells us that “those who exalt themselves will be humbled” (Matthew 23:12). How do you want to be remembered?… Read the rest
When Andrew Carnegie died they found a little slip of paper on which he had written a life goal: “I’m going to spend the first half of my life accumulating money. I’m going to spend the second half of my life giving it all away.” And he did just that – to the sum of 450 million dollars. “He who gives generously…will be powerful and respected” (Psalm 112:9). I can tell you this: the most respected people I know are the most generous people I know.… Read the rest
The Bible tells us to not “be selfish,” but to “think of others as better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). Why? Because when we focus on the rewards in any relationship – what we get from them – that relationship will last only until those rewards run out. Such conditions placed on others are sure to crumble in the long run.… Read the rest
Martin Luther once noted, “I am more afraid of my own heart than of the Pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, Self.” Nothing is more powerful than self – good or bad. It can quickly destroy a marriage, divide a friendship, and most importantly, dishonor God.… Read the rest
“Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results” (Andrew Carnegie). Nothing great is ever achieved in a world of yourself. We were created to do life with others; why not do it together?… Read the rest
There’s an old African-American proverbs that says, “Nobody will think you’re somebody if you don’t think so yourself.” Our self-image is our self-reflection. More often than not, people see us exactly the way we see ourselves. We’re not fooling anyone but ourselves. So let the image of Christ grow within you that it would soon radiate out from you.… Read the rest
Though I was never a Shaquille O’Neal fanatic, he still offers a wonderful slice of truth: “Excellence is not a singular act,” he says, “but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly.” I agree. One of the greatest acts in maturity is learning to do the same thing over – as long as that same thing over are God’s principles.… Read the rest
The church should be a place of safety. That place where people are invited to bring their worst and know that they will be loved regardless, and thus in turn can now go out into their world and give it their best. The Bible describes this as grace in action.… Read the rest
“Oh! The blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one’s deepest as well as one’s most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort – the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person – having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away” (Dinah Maria Mulock Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859).… Read the rest
Going deep in God is never found in what you learn, but in how you live. The Bible tells us that “knowledge puffs up. But love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Paul himself wrote, “If I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).… Read the rest
Convenience says, “I married the wrong person.” Obedience says, “Become the right person.” Convenience says, “Run away and try again.” Obedience says, “Press in and trust Me.” Convenience says, “Forget them and move on.” Obedience says, “Forgive them, as I have forgiven you, and stay the course.”… Read the rest
Always remember that convenience is always at odds with obedience. It’s always more convenient to run away, to avoid, to pick up and go elsewhere than it is to forgive, stay the course, and press in. But it’s precisely the later that God call us to do.… Read the rest
If we don’t learn to forgive, our relationships today will suffer from those painful ones of yesterday. Look at this way: If I’m broken before God, I’m better with man. But if I remain unbroken before God, I find myself bitter toward man.… Read the rest
There are three realities in life. First, we’re all a mess. We all stumble. We all fall. We all make mistakes. Nobody is immune to this. Even Job said of himself, “I’m a muddy mess, inside and out” (Job 30:16, MSG). Second, the mess isn’t going away this side of Heaven. And third, God commands us to not only live in this mess, but to love in it.… Read the rest
Forgiveness is limitless – it has no end. As the great prophet Buzz Lightyear spouts, it’s “to infinity and beyond.” You see, when Jesus taught that we are to forgive, not seven times, but seventy times seven, He wasn’t suggesting math as in keeping score. He was teaching us grace – His grace that keeps “no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5).… Read the rest
Jesse Owens once said, “In the end, it’s extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more than that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don’t win, how can you lose?”… Read the rest
Warren G. Bennis said, “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” This is the responsibility of a leader – to map out the vision in such clarity that the team as a whole can embrace it. When the team knows where they are going, why they are going there, and what the rewards are when they get there, they not only will be willing to take the hill, but die for it.… Read the rest
“Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the Good News, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they’re up against: defeat for them, victory for you – and both because of God. There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for Him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting” (Philippians 1:27).… Read the rest
Lead with a crystal-clear VISION. Successful leadership cannot happen if the team doesn’t truly know where they are going. “My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies” (Psalm 6:7). As the old adage goes: vision leaks. Therefore, it must be said often and in many creative ways.… Read the rest
Leadership almost always involves thinking and acting like the underdog. That’s because leaders work to change things and the people who are winning rarely do. So push the envelope, create a future, and be brave.… Read the rest
Leaders with open minds always surround themselves with the best and the brightest. They never care who gets the credit as long as the job is getting done. As a great mentor of mine once said, “Keep an open mind and you’ll attract amazing leaders.” The BIG QUESTION then, is: Am I open-minded?… Read the rest
Always remember that no one knows everything (which includes ourselves) – but together we can discover all kinds of things. For me, this is at the heart of what makes leadership enjoyable. When leadership is open-minded to new ideas, thinking outside the margins, and vesting trust in the team, great things are always within reach.… Read the rest
To be increasingly effective as a person and/or leader, we must grow in our self-perception. Without knowing it, many people believe things about themselves that are simply not true. Self-reflection is not just about putting more truth in your life; it’s also about removing the lies. This is why it is so important to have healthy, mature mentors as well as accountability partners in your life.… Read the rest
If I raise my kids right, I gain influence, but that also means my options are limited. I have to say NO to things that I might love and want to do in lieu of being home to raise my kids right. If I want to build an organization right, then I have to stay around that organization. So in which arena do I want to achieve success – the worldly arena or the family arena?… Read the rest
“You can over-estimate in the short run what God can do, and you will under-estimate what God will do in a lifetime of integrity” (Craig Groeschel). Running a complete race is where the joy of success really comes into play.… Read the rest