A Great Leader, Part 3

Continued from A Great Leader, Part 2

A great leader sets a great example.

The leader in any institution sets the tone and demonstrates the servant heart when they lead by example. If I want those who follow me to be positive, respectful, honest, hard working... then I need to set the example for positivity, respectfulness, honesty, and hard work.

How often do you hear a parent say they don't know where their child gets the attitude or foul language while they complain and cuss about the traffic, their boss, the government, etc? It's common sense (I wish!) that the child learns from following the parent's example.

My pastor recently did a couple of sermons on what it means to be a spiritual leader.

Characteristics of a Spiritual Leader

1. Bold (1 Thessalonians 2:2)

2. Honest (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6)

3. Sensitive (1 Thessalonians 2:7)

4. Loving (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

5. Hard Working (1 Thessalonians 2:9)

6. Transparent (1 Thessalonians 2:10)

7. Encouraging (1 Thessalonians 2:11)

I strive to achieve these characteristics, not only as a spiritual leader, but in any leadership position I might hold professionally, in my family, with my friends, and in my church. ( I'm not always the most encouraging so I may need some pushing in that area ;)


Jesus Christ took the time to provide a perfect example of a great leader:

"Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end...

So He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him...

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined again and said to them, "Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."

John 13:1, 4-5, 12-17

Jesus Christ humbled Himself to complete the duties of a servant by washing His disciples feet. He acknowledged Himself as their leader while showing them how to lead by example.

By pulling traits from leaders in my life and learning from the perfect example set by Jesus Christ, I want to be a great leader by:

• Setting a positive tone
• Having a servant's heart
• And, setting the example

A Great Leader, Part 2

Continued from A Great Leader, Part 1


A great leader has a servant's heart.

When I remember the people who have been great leaders in my life, there's one common thread... they had a servant's heart. They didn't just tell me what to do, they showed me how to do it and helped me to accomplish things.

 

I had one supervisor that never told me what to do when I was problem solving a situation. Instead, she helped me find my own solution. She listened as I talked through it and asked questions to guide me along the way. By allowing me to come to my own conclusion, she communicated to me that she had faith and trust in my abilities.

 

I had one supervisor who always had a listening ear, whether it was work or home related. Through her ability to always make time for each one of her employees, she was able to communicate that she cared.  

 

And not-work-related... my parents have demonstrated leadership skills and been servants to me my entire life. How many times did they unselfishly give up something they needed to make sure I got to play sports, be in band, and go on trips? How many times have they aided me in finding my own solutions to problems while being there to catch me when I failed? They clearly represent what it means to lead with love and a servant's heart.

 

I believe the best leaders in my life have been the ones that sought to help me, to teach me, and to serve me because they cared. And each of them had characteristics that I want to imitate in my role as a leader.

One of my favorite movies is 'We Were Soldiers' starring Mel Gibson. It is a story about the first major battle of the Vietnam War. Mel Gibson plays a Lieutenant, Colonel Hal Moore, who is dedicated to the men who serve underneath him. He spends a great deal of time training and preparing his men for battle. He shows genuine concern for what is happening in their personal lives. Before going into battle Moore promises his men that he will be the first to step on the field in battle and the last to step off. He does exactly that even when his superiors urge him to leave the battle field for his own safety.

There's one scene in 'We Were Soldiers' that is the best example I have ever seen of a servant leader. The scene clearly distinguishes between two types of leaders. The servant leader seeks to find out why the men are falling behind, help them solve the problem, and then hold them accountable for following through with the solution. The power hungry leader blames the men for not keeping up and seeks to humiliate and demean the men for falling behind.

 

Which leader would you rather follow? Which leader would you rather be?

To be continued....

Spiritual Journey (4)

Sometimes I did write in my journal twice in one day. There was a lot going on so I wanted to make sure to document as much as possible, especially the blessings.

To read Spiritual Journey (3) click here


Journal Entry: 4/9/13

"But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you."

Luke 12:31

God continues to remind me that He's present. I randomly decided to text a girl that has visited our Bible fellowship class to see how she's doing. She asked about my mission trip and the blessing I received in the mail yesterday. When I told her it was money for my trip she asked how much more I needed to raise, which then led to her saying she would send me the money.

Enter tears of amazement here...

I barely know this girl or anything about her and she's willing to help me. I randomly thought to check on her and I'm the one that receives the blessing.

I keep thinking about the quote from Hope Floats when the grandmother says "My cup runneth over."

THANK YOU JESUS!!!

A Great Leader, Part 1

Everyone is a leader in some capacity. Everyone has someone that follows them. And everyone has to follow someone. Some lead a family, some lead a small group, some lead a work group, some lead an organization, some lead a sports team, some lead a church, some lead a classroom, some lead a nation...

 

The topic of leadership has always interested me. What are the qualities of a great leader? What kind of leader do I want to follow? What kind of leader do I want to be?

I have found some common themes that create what I believe to be great leaders. I don't want to be good enough; I want to great.

A great leader sets a positive tone.

It's pretty self explanatory, but it is not common sense. The attitude in any institution starts at the top and trickles down.

• Front-line workers reflect the attitude of supervisors who reflect the attitudes of directors who reflect the attitudes of top decision makers in a company.
• Children reflect the attitude of their mother who reflects the attitude of their father in a family.
• Students reflect the attitude of their teacher who reflect the attitude of their principal who reflect the attitude of the district's superintendent in a school system.
• A Christian reflects the attitude of the Sunday School teacher who reflects the attitude of the deacons and ministers who reflect the attitude of the pastor in a church.

I think you get my point. It starts at the top. So if a leader wants an atmosphere of positive support and teamwork, he/she needs to lift up their followers and believe in their abilities to contribute to the wanted outcomes.

 

One of my favorite movies 'Remember the Titans' has a great scene about how the attitude of the leader is reflected in those around him/her.

 

"Being in power is like being a lady. If you have to remind people that you are, you aren't."

~ Margaret Thatcher



To be continued...

Spiritual Journey (3)

I am sharing excerpts from my personal journal regarding my spiritual journey to Haiti and back.

To read Spiritual Journey (1) click here.

To read Spiritual Journey (2) click here.


Journal Entry: 4/9/13

As if there's an alarm clock in my head, I woke up at 4 a.m. I wasn't in a panic this time until my brain shifted towards the day and my to do list, towards the trip, and towards some situations in my personal life.

I started singing. This song was placed by God and I sang it in my head until I fell asleep again. I sang it so many times in fact that it started to become annoying, but I needed it.

Through You I can do anything

I can do all things

For it's You who gives me strength

Nothing is impossible

Through you blind eyes are open

Strongholds are broken

I am living by faith

Nothing is impossible

Back to the Basics

 

This last weekend, as a present to my dad for his birthday, we spent some quality time together playing golf. Keep in mind that I have no clue how to play golf. So, I guess the present was actually allowing him to teach me something new.

 

 

I learned how to grip a club; I learned the awkward stance; I learned how to swing (you would think that would be easy but it's not!); I learned to keep my head down. Knowing how to even hit the golf ball is essential to learning how to play golf. Dad was teaching me the basics.

 

Even though he's played golf for as long as I can remember, this mini session on a mini course was helpful to him as well. It forced him to remember the basics and evaluate his own swing and his own game. He was focused on his form so that I could follow his example.

 

It's helpful to go back to the basics.

This also applies to our Christian lives...

 

Twice recently I've heard someone say to take it back to the cross. At the time they were referring to a sermon or a lesson; it should always lead back to the cross. But I believe every Christian needs to remember the basics.

 

A new or young Christian needs to start at the cross in order to grow in their spiritual life. A mature Christian needs to go back to the cross to remember what our Savior did for us and make the foundation of his/her faith constantly stronger. AND a mature Christian should focus on the cross as an example to anyone following him/her.

 

 

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God's power to us who are being saved."

1 Corinthians 1:18

 

"He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death - even to death on a cross."

Philippians 2:8

 

"He did this so that He might reconcile both (Jew and Gentile) to God in one body through the cross and put the hostility to death by it."

Ephesians 2:16

 

"But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Galations 6:14

Spiritual Journey (2)

Spiritual Journey, Act 1 (click here)


Journal Entry: 4/8/13 (continued)

I already discussed how my anxiety and depression has been increasing. This morning was a perfect example.

At 4 a.m. I woke in a panic. I don't know why or what about, but I was unsettled. I began with the prayer that God would take it from me, but the feeling stayed. Eventually I moved to the couch and turned on the TV, while continuing to mumble prayers.

I felt anxious and overwhelmed with the thoughts about my trip. The spiritual war going on in my life consumed my thoughts.

I pulled myself to my knees and began to weep. I don't remember everything God and I talked about or what I asked for, but guess what happened... I fell asleep in the arms of my Lord.

I may have only had an hour left before needing to get up for work but that hour was indescribably peaceful.

Unfortunately, the spiritual battle continued when I woke up. As I prepared for work I could feel my anxiety continue to increase until I was in tears. I went through the motions of the morning and tried to control my feelings. Eventually it began to take a physical toll on my stomach.

Yes, Satan was fighting hard today. However, God continued to remind me He's there. One of my online devotions led me to Joshua 1 where God repeatedly tells Joshua (four times in that one chapter) to be strong and courageous. God was calling Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promise Land after Moses' death. Why was it so important for Joshua to be strong and courageous that God told him four times? He also says in this chapter "I will never leave you or forsake you." And, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Even to Haiti? Yes! There was so much encouragement in this chapter for me today.

Another blessing reached me tonight. I received a card and check from my grandma to put towards my trip! With my financial difficulties lately, I don't have words of appreciation that properly express how I feel.

It's been a tough day, but God is always present. He is a fire of protection around me! He is my Comforter! He is my Provider!

Spiritual Journey (1)

I want to start sharing details of the spiritual journey I have been maneuvering my way through so far this year. It involves Satan's attacks, the Lord's blessings, and my mission trip to Haiti. I've been keeping a journal throughout this time with hopes of documenting my progress. I wanted to keep record of how the Lord helped me to overcome. I wanted to be able to remember some of the smaller blessings that sometimes get forgotten over time.

 

I believe I'm finally at a point where I can share pieces of that journey with you. By revealing some of the vulnerable moments in my life this year from my personal journal, I'm hoping to reveal the victory that comes from allowing the Lord to be Lord of your life.

 

By no means is the journey over, but it's a start!

 

Here is the very first journal entry I made.

 

 

Journal Entry: 4/8/13

 

I am anxious to start this journal. I had to run out to buy it because my hand is dying to write about this experience... my trip to Haiti.

 

Last night was our first team meeting, and it left me both nervous and excited. Bro. Paul talked about how Haiti is such a voodoo country. It is literally controlled by Satan. There will be people demon possessed walking the streets. It's not safe for white people to be out at night. And never, ever be alone.

 

Now those are already good safety precautions for traveling to any foreign country. But there is a real safety threat.

 

We will have to plan our own meals because none of the food there is safe. It is completely unsanitary with trash and sewage everywhere. The smell, we've been warned, is the worst smell you've ever smelled. Bro. Paul went as far to say that it is a good picture of hell... the smells... the filth... the demons.

 

This is my first trip to a third world country, but so far that doesn't scare me.

 

However, the last few months have been especially rough on me mentally, financially, emotionally, and physically. Now I know why. 

 

The comment was made about Satan attacking us even before the trip and that's exactly what I've been experiencing. I was dating someone that suddenly changed. Money kept slipping through my fingers that I needed to pay for the trip. I almost decided not to go at all. I put new tires on my car. My bills kept falling behind. I haven't been able to donate plasma. And the worst attack of all has been mentally and emotionally. My anxiety has been progressively worsening. And I've been slipping into depression. Satan has even attacked me physically. I hardly ever get sick. For over a month my body has been battling a cough and last week a sinus infection. I am currently on antibiotics!

 

I've made the comment to some people that I feel like I'm in the middle of a spiritual battle. Turns out, I'm right.

 
So my biggest fear is 'what else?' I'm sure Satan isn't done with me. We don't leave for another 3 1/2 weeks.
 
I wrote a blog at the beginning of the year stating I wanted this year to be the one that I experienced divine revelations that would change my life. Well here goes. Satan will not win this battle!