Stripped of my script. John 12:49
The rise to power in business or organizations through money, position, skills, contacts, or knowledge brings out the tendency to become harsh with others, not always intentional but harsh nevertheless. Over time it becomes easier to rely on one's own wisdom since any behavior can be justified due to success. Leading others harshly risks intensifying their doubt rather than encouraging them in belief. What is thought of as needed encouragement comes out more as criticism, often harsh criticism. Justification by success leads toward a growing self-deceit, arrogance, and harshness in dealing with others when mercy is required. Proverbs 18:23
Being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit through faith enables one to lead in the bigger picture without seeing only a bigger picture of oneself. John 3:30-31 Seeking to lead by serving, knowing, and forgiving others enables leadership that is firm without being a marshmallow, yet with gentleness and respect. Genesis 50:19-21
Renewed by living encounters.
Knowing what I'm not.
Keeping one's butterfly collection in the stomach.
Numb to need.
Asking the question "How do I become a real leader rather than a strong one?" positions you to be strengthened continuously rather than draining your strength trying to be really strong. Ask and see.
I'm often asked if I know of any good self-help books to recommend for someone to read. I find that ironic in that asking me for help to find a self-help book kills the original intent. I might consider writing a book on how to find a self-help book without asking for help to find it. That would maintain one's self-help integrity. However if you are still thinking what kind of book to read and you insist on a self-help book, read a self-care book about asking for help.
Hearty cooperation.
Self-styled worship that acts as if and says "Hollow be His Name". Colossians 2:8
Light might blind in order to bind to the sublime. Then reminds the mind in kind to see a sign for the right time.
Driven by blind impulse rather than by the eye of faith. Psalm 32:8-9
Every day I hear others say that they are stuck. But stuck isn't the precise word for their reality. Instead, they are trapped -- trapped by a question being used to accuse or excuse. How do you release yourself from the trap? Stop the question and LISTEN. Listening enables an action instead of just hearing a reaction to your question--the question that got you trapped or, in your words, "stuck" in the first place.
Makes you a stuffed animal. Envy is often the stuffing. Psalm 73:21-22
Discipline without direction.
I hear this many times a week or the camouflaged version as I don't know what to do. The desire for the magic solution competes strongly against the miraculous whisper deep in the heart to surrender both angry rebellion and brokenness. One must begin and continue as one being taught. Isaiah 50:4,5
Razing questions vs raising questions.
Reversing the domino effect of power abuse. Empowering rather than overpowering. A strong arm rather than strong-arming. A shoulder upon which to stand or be beside rather than off to the side.
I hear this so often. The rejection of anything that removes the serenity of our intellectual conceit put us in this state. The are many reasons why we do this but the main one is refusing the light available in our present life today, not tomorrow or yesterday. Psalm 36:9
A day to discover what is arresting your resting heartbeat. I call this slow-motion Saturday. My mother calls it no smile day(while she's smiling). From active to reflective to contemplative. Regaining a still perspective of the infinite stillness of our infinite Lord. Rhythmically retuned, passively active, and divinely wound and wined. Brennan Manning years ago encouraged me to memorize the following passage that would make this Sabbath Saturday a daily experience. John 15:1-17