Vulnerability, weakness = God’s power

Vulnerability, weakness allows God’s power to be shown. We read of Paul speaking about his weakness, and he calls it a thorn in his flesh. He seeks out God to remove it, so he could be more effective, he thought. But what God told him is in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." and then Paul concluded this - Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(NIV)’ Now what that tells me, is our weaknesses are the direct pipline we need to seek God out. It stops us, if we do not let pride grip us, from getting too caught up in our self-sufficiency. We are vulnerable, when it comes to our weaknesses, and feel naked. What really happens is our true authentic self is shown. Not our over pressed correct image we put out, rather the truth of us is seen. Wow! What a gift, we have to offer if we just stop to offer our truth, and not our lie to people. We will feel no need to hide, lie, run, or work to impress anyone, any more, and get one thing we all crave – influence. Then we would see, the sure way of connecting to another, influence anyone is by being vulnerable. Everyone who is a guru and uses their words, use their vulnerability, weakness to reach, connect to millions. The number one person who realized this, whether my default or by design, is Oprah Winfrey. She made herself vulnerable, she told her story, and as the layers of the onion skin were peel back a large portion of this country has followed her, and fallen in love with her. She has made billions, not her intent, her intent was to connect through her experiences of struggle we all share. You may say, she still have more secrets, and as true as that it is. She understood in the basic terms, the direct link to people is not there stomach, but through shared struggles. This is where the heavy lifting begins, and we all will share, if you share.
It allows an intimacy between people that makes one raw, and sensitive to the touch; when we are all like that we are more at ease with the nakedness. Now, we do not do it because we are too busy trying to compare our life to another, whether it is the negative experiences, or the fabulous experiences. We have yet to realize it incites hate, those people become our haters, and ultimately result in us wearing mask because I cannot be seen as weak. Yet, this whole cornucopia of madness is man-made, and man-perpetuated; thus we can stop it…wow thats a thought! I have discovered, the solution to all problems lies in the problems.... Because we are told clearly in the bible how we should speak of others, Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.(NIV)”- See, if we did this, and remember this is the real reason Christ came John 3:17 - For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (NIV). Being real with self and others, would not be such an ordeal, or a dilemma. The true is we see others through the perspective of how we treat others in this life; thus, another news flash ‘be change, you wish to see’…Vulnerability, weakness does equal God’s power. It is repeatedly shown over, and over in the bible and in life, most, no I will say, all of the great individuals of our past and present of unmatched influence that galvanize in a way that had never been done, and we draw encourage from, have allow their weakness, vulnerability to propel them into a place of prominent influence…it is not an accident, it is an outcome of intentional determination…The choice is personal.

Seed and Harvest: Leadership

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….

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!

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

He never Fails!!

Job was an upright man. Satan sought to destroy him by putting forth things in his path; he knew what was precious to Job. So, know what is precious to you, and do not get caught in the traps set to destroy you!! Holding onto your faith, you will be able to see the one God sends to encourage you - Elihu and Job…I did not say, he did not questioned God, or struggle with why he had to go through this madness; Job sinned not. So, even if it is the worst day ever, week, or 5- life crisis in a less than a year. It seems the enemy has pull your number as the person to attack, do not give up hope. Only in our weakness do we really see, and seek God’s face. We are able to be an example to others through our strength during these. I am not saying it will be easy, only that it can be done, when we understand, we are purposed in the plan of God. In those moments, we are able to show others the God in us that is more than a lesson, a sermon, a book, or an answer to a question; we live it. The God, we so often speak of with our words lives in us. This is an opportunity for us to show God in our behaviors, actions, and interactions. Believe it or not, more than our words, our actions, behavior tell others, what we really believe. See only around 10-15% of what we communicate comes from the verbal or what we say, the rest come from what we do and our body language; so watch how you act because you never know who is looking that need the revelation or blessing...Yet,do not let discouragement pull you from the focus of God but know as Job did, God is able.

Job was discouraged, friends and family seem to support a position that he knew did not follow his faith. Rudyard Kipling but it this way – If all men count with you, but none too much… Just stand and know He, God, will not fail you, even when it seems you are being defeated, Matt. 24:13 - But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved (NASB). There is nothing in this verse or in the example shown in Job’s life that said those around you will get what is happening to you, is part of God’s order. It is for you to learn from, it for the longevity and legacy for His glory; it is never just about you or right now. We are, you are a part of a plan bigger than we see. We are blessed to be chosen, to be used as an instrument to teach the lesson, provide the blessing. When we are chosen, we are also blessed by God! So, let the rivers inside you flow from the endless source, your God, my God, our God!...He never fails!!

Why go or read?

Why do we go to the conference or read the book? To gain information, knowledge, or ideas, we can utilize to better ourselves, assist the group or organization, we are apart improve. Then tell me, why do we not do anything with it? We go to the conference, we read the book, attend the webinar, and get all excited about what is being taught, or discovered. Then the book is shelved, the webinar and conference are forgotten about, until you are trying to make a point to someone, or make an impression on people but nothing changes in your life to show your elevated thinking. Why waste the money, your time, and energy on what you have no intention to implement or utilize. See, none of the going, the learning, the reading, actually matters unless you do something with it. Like everything in life, you have to work it to get it, what use of having it, if you are not going to use it. We too many times are caught in the doing the thing, not applying, implementing, or developing. Then we wonder why, nothing change, nothing improve, nothing got better, and we are still in the stagnate maddening place. Yet, we do nothing to change because it is never about what you did at the conference, or the feeling you get from the book. It is always about what you do with the information and knowledge gather, after the excited, after the experience. We must produce something from what we gain, if what we gained is to have value, and show it has affect on our lives. See we show what we believe, what is part of us with our actions, not with our words. So, the next time you go to a conference or read a book that provides an epiphany or an ah-ha moment, asked yourself – how can I show others what I just learned? Otherwise, the trip was about me, my, not about growth. For growth requires, thinking outside and beyond self because in giving do we gain.
People change and forget to tell each other.- Lillian Hellman

Crisis: Survival mode or success mode

When we are in a crisis, we need to get this - When you understand a person character, it helps you to understand the person, why they do what they do, and helps you to work better with them, even if you do not like them. When decide to do nothing, we have decided to something.

Now, back to the focus of the blog - We must choose the mode to operate in, unconsciously or consciously, we choose - Survival mode or success mode. Understanding the difference matters, because in our difference, lies our greatness (the reason diversity matters, all the times, not just for political correctness or just to be different). When you are in a survival mode, your focus is only to get through to the next crisis. To move beyond this problem with a solution that only fixes this thing, right now, with the least amount of fallout, and the focus is on self, not the team. Although, this sounds like it makes sense, and it does in man’s world, not the Father (rem – Christ and His journey and end), but this way is a disaster waiting to happen. When you are in survival mode, nothing that is done has any substance, and no one is focusing on learning for the future, thus repeat occurrence are sure to follow. Yes, the SWAT Analyses are done, but no one really pays attention to what was done along the way, to have the analysis worth the effort. But in the survival mode, the error in this cannot be seen. Most of the work is done to make sure everyone understands, thus, no one pays attention to the right answer because they feel understanding is paramount. Although, understand is important, we need to be flexible enough to understand two things - It is not always necessary for one to understand the problem for them to provide the right answer to the problem, and when you do not have all the pieces, having the right questions provides keen direction. But in the success mode, all of the above is changed, and the focus is on succeeding in a harmonious balance with understanding. The need for flexibility and these two things are comprehended - It is not always necessary for one to understand the problem for them to provide the right answer to the problem, and when you do not have all the pieces, having the right questions provides keen direction. Thus, the focus is not just on rights now fix, and self but a sustainable change, that will assist in moving forward, and self is not the focus but the team. Because with every mistake, the teachable moment is sought, as with most with problems, we get there by not doing the little things; The rapper T.I. made this statement that applies to this, in one of his rap songs – Big thing popping, little things stopping, and my good-friend puts it this way – S/he, they want to so big, that little is eating their ass up!!. Smiling..it is, what it is…

Now, before I close there is nothing wrong with being in survival mode, but it is not a mode to remain in, it is only a temporary position, mode, or place. Otherwise, additional problems are created from it that has longevity and legacy. Willingness to be flexible, own your part (from top to bottom), confidence to listen to all (liked them or not), and humility goes a long way. Let me leave you all with these quotes, from Dale Carnegie – I know men in the ranks (military) who not stay in the ranks. Why? Because they have the ability to get things done; asked yourself, do I have potential leaders around me, if not, why are they around you. If it is a personal problem, ask yourself, am I willing to move outside the confines of conventional wisdom to succeed. Another way of looking at it is this, from the Rapper T.I. – Ghetto of the mind, which means, although, one has move from the madness physically, mentally they are still there; survival mode. Lastly, just because you have the right to do (survival mode); does not mean it is the right thing to do; time, place and relativeness; it matters (success mode)…We choose the mode…