2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (NIV)
Truly great leaders have learn through their journey only in giving, selflessness, not expecting anything in return but for the betterment of the team, the group, the organization, the people, future growth, shall result in an abundance return that enriches all beyond right now. Thus, what is given is not about giving what I can spare, or what will benefit me or what I am made to give. This might have worked as children, but as adults we should have put away childish things; ironically we have not and wonder why life does not see my growth because our growth is not shown. See the seed sown in this life is the harvest received. So, if we are giving only what brings gains for me, my, then we have fail miserably because the followers will do what the leader models, not what the leadership says.
We must understand this is not just a busy leader, but an effective leader. The leader focusing on being, doing, all things as you can, does not make an effective leader. What you have is a leader that is seen, known, but when the layers are pull back nothing is really done, and the emptiness or the self-servitude is seen. The parallel play principle is demonstrated; where nothing is done, it just looked like it is. How does it apply to seed and harvest? Well, we see people who give, and who get caught up in their gift bestowed. Yet, no one really wonders what the gift actually cost the receivers. True gifts are unconditional, no strings attached, not with the expectation of getting something for what is given. See everyone who gets this comprehends in the fundamental, elementary terms the importance of significance over security. We see throughout the bible everyone had to give up the security, for the significance (great leader, many followers, and greater security given up). However, this is never obtainable when your foundational choice is base in self motivation. Seed and Harvest, if all you are doing is about what you can get right now, then do not be upset if your harvest is meager, or only enough for right now. And if you are only giving because you are required to do so or pressure by others, then do not get upset if your harvest you get comes from work of difficulty. What you plant, your seed, your harvest will mirror it. Leadership is the same way, what you put out, plant, in others with your thoughts, your words, and your actions, your seed, the harvest will mirror it. Your harvest will always mirror your seed giving. Therefore, if the leadership role taken is a pretense to cover, then do not be surprise is that is what get in return from those who looking at you for direction, guidance, instruction…The model given to us on leadership by Christ is true!...we choose….
Friday, September 17, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Consider your mark
One of my friends sent me email below about the pencil, and it just touched me. I am moved by the simplistic true of the analogy found in something so common that has or are used by most every day, but do not see. How it directs us to consider our ways and words. Helps us to remember, we, whether wanted to or not, there is a stray mark caused by us. Therefore, we must take note, and remember to live our truth; thou none go with us, God always guides us…we choose….This email was apropos for me because I wonder how many times that I, like many other spiritual centered, Christians, or faith believers, never really consider this. Although, the reasons are as diverse as the people, and just as many excuses, but it does not change the fact we always choose our response. It is not the person, the situation, or the environment; it is up to us to make the decision. Making the choice that is not don by a selfish motivation guarantees an outcome we would be ready and willing to accept, regardless of it because we acted on our truth…Proverbs 1:31 - "Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices."… Remember everyone desires the mountain top experience, but everything grows, develops in the valleys of life…we choose…Try to make it a point today to consider what you say, and how you act, and what mark it will leave. You will see how your actions and words change…smiling…the choice is yours…
A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :
1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK. - Good or bad, it is there
2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE. - But we still have to live the consequence
3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU. - It directs you in a seamless unconscious way
4.) IN LIFE, YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER. - We do not always choose what happens to us, but we always choose how we respond
5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU. – God knows best and His order does not align with man, and we cannot lead when we will not be lead…
We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you. ...How are you going to choose, for the choice is always YOURS!
A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :
1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK. - Good or bad, it is there
2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE. - But we still have to live the consequence
3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU. - It directs you in a seamless unconscious way
4.) IN LIFE, YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER. - We do not always choose what happens to us, but we always choose how we respond
5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU. – God knows best and His order does not align with man, and we cannot lead when we will not be lead…
We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you. ...How are you going to choose, for the choice is always YOURS!
Monday, September 13, 2010
How close can I get to the fire and not get burned?”
“Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair … and so his strength left him. Then she called, `Samson, the Philistines are upon you.' He awoke from his sleep and thought `I'll go out as before and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the Lord had left him.” (Judges 16:19-20 NIV)
How close can I get to the fire and not get burned is a game we all play. We do it with the wrong that we do. We fulfill the letter of the law, but missed the spirit of the law, then wonder why things went wrong. We hang around people we know are not good for us, and are doing what does not align up with our core values or beliefs, as well as play the odds of getting caught – Remember God asked hot or cold, not warm…. Yet, we desire to play on the wild side participating in ‘parallel play,’ where it looks like we are doing it but we are not. Thus, the perception is you are, and people act on it, in their behavior, their choices, and words; whether it is true or not. So, we have no room to get upset, if we have put ourselves close to the fire resulting in a singe mark. See where ever you go, whether it literally or physically, you will be marked by it. Ever hug someone and walk away, and you still smells like their cologne or perfume? Ever hang out with a person, and then you begin using their terminology, words, or hand gestures? How about looking, drawing some of the same conclusion that they drawn because you have been with them so much? Do not believe this, then what is groupthink? Yes, there it is…This is the same, whether the behavior is conducive to our growth and development, or our detriment; we are marked…Now we see the lesson of old, taught my our parents and elders in our life – be careful who you hang around with because it matters – was, is, and shall always hold true…You choose
The question each of us must ask ourselves is this, who do I want to be mark or characterized by? Is it the things, people, or/and actions that make people questioned my character, my integrity, my beliefs? Is it the things, actions, and/or people that influence others to desire to get to know me? We choose, and sometimes we choose by default because like Samson, we think either we are too smart to get caught, or we let what is temporary or have immediate gratification for us right now determine our actions. The problem with this is, it does not take into account the residual effects of our behavior on others lives, on our lives, or how far or long effects have boomeranged into the world around us, and comes backs to us. Yet, we take steps everyday that puts us closer to a metaphorical fire and we are marked that stops, impedes, or hinders us from being the effective person in all aspects of our lives. Yet, like so many other things, we do not own it because we think – it is a white lie, it was not that big of a deal, or no one knows – We fail to realize how man, us, look at things, does not applies here. If we see a garment perfect in every way, and we notice a slight imperfection, irregularity, this become our focus. Yet, we do not ever consider how this same logic is part of our unconscious seamless assessment tools in our tool box of viewing life, and we play close to the metaphorical and/or literal fires…you choose
Yet, we wonder why God does not move. Well in Psalm 96:9 –Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth (NIV). This is not just when go to some physical place to praise and worship, or when something happens to or for us, although it is important and included. But also, in all we do because we understand beyond a literal awareness of God, the GREAT I AM! it matters, nothing is random…So, how long are you going to play close to the fire?...you choose
How close can I get to the fire and not get burned is a game we all play. We do it with the wrong that we do. We fulfill the letter of the law, but missed the spirit of the law, then wonder why things went wrong. We hang around people we know are not good for us, and are doing what does not align up with our core values or beliefs, as well as play the odds of getting caught – Remember God asked hot or cold, not warm…. Yet, we desire to play on the wild side participating in ‘parallel play,’ where it looks like we are doing it but we are not. Thus, the perception is you are, and people act on it, in their behavior, their choices, and words; whether it is true or not. So, we have no room to get upset, if we have put ourselves close to the fire resulting in a singe mark. See where ever you go, whether it literally or physically, you will be marked by it. Ever hug someone and walk away, and you still smells like their cologne or perfume? Ever hang out with a person, and then you begin using their terminology, words, or hand gestures? How about looking, drawing some of the same conclusion that they drawn because you have been with them so much? Do not believe this, then what is groupthink? Yes, there it is…This is the same, whether the behavior is conducive to our growth and development, or our detriment; we are marked…Now we see the lesson of old, taught my our parents and elders in our life – be careful who you hang around with because it matters – was, is, and shall always hold true…You choose
The question each of us must ask ourselves is this, who do I want to be mark or characterized by? Is it the things, people, or/and actions that make people questioned my character, my integrity, my beliefs? Is it the things, actions, and/or people that influence others to desire to get to know me? We choose, and sometimes we choose by default because like Samson, we think either we are too smart to get caught, or we let what is temporary or have immediate gratification for us right now determine our actions. The problem with this is, it does not take into account the residual effects of our behavior on others lives, on our lives, or how far or long effects have boomeranged into the world around us, and comes backs to us. Yet, we take steps everyday that puts us closer to a metaphorical fire and we are marked that stops, impedes, or hinders us from being the effective person in all aspects of our lives. Yet, like so many other things, we do not own it because we think – it is a white lie, it was not that big of a deal, or no one knows – We fail to realize how man, us, look at things, does not applies here. If we see a garment perfect in every way, and we notice a slight imperfection, irregularity, this become our focus. Yet, we do not ever consider how this same logic is part of our unconscious seamless assessment tools in our tool box of viewing life, and we play close to the metaphorical and/or literal fires…you choose
Yet, we wonder why God does not move. Well in Psalm 96:9 –Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth (NIV). This is not just when go to some physical place to praise and worship, or when something happens to or for us, although it is important and included. But also, in all we do because we understand beyond a literal awareness of God, the GREAT I AM! it matters, nothing is random…So, how long are you going to play close to the fire?...you choose
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