Leadership!!!

"He who thinks he leads and has no one following him is simply taking a walk."

As followers of Christ we are called to be leaders. Our ability to lead runs parallel with our ability to influence others. Influence is not something you have to earn or find. It is something we all have. Influence is the ability to obtain followers. In order to Influence the lives of people around us the way Christ wants us to we have to allow ourselves to be influenced by Christ. As Christians our life is sustained in Christ. Our survival is dependent on our closeness to Christ. God is what gives us our breath. In order for us to influence others we have to live our lives in such a way that people can see our hearts or better yet our core and see that we are constantly influenced by God. God influences us through his word. I like what Rodney says, "we need to stay in close proximity to God in order to be changed (influenced) by him." If we live what God calls us to and we live it with Passion people will follow.......

Rebuking with Encouragement

Wow! I honestly didn't think that these two words could go together in a sentence. But they can, they should, and they do! Filipe recently gave a talk at the youth about this while studying the book of Titus. He said that we can rebuke, but it should be followed by encouragement. Now, this may be easier for some people (the rebuking part). Maybe because they have the authority or it's just easier for them to let people know when they are in the wrong. For me, not so much.

In the past few days, I think I've been challenged with this and I get so uncomfortable. I don't like to be put in a position where I have to tell someone what they can't do, shouldn't do, or how to do it. I think it's because I worry too much of what they'll think about me after that. But if we really care and show God's love, I think we can get the strength to be real and honest with them.

Why do old people stop growing?

I'm reading Teaching to change lives by Howard Hendricks.  In the book, his daughter ask him the question "Why do old people stop growing?" and the question bothered him.  This question has been bothering me as well.  On a personal level have I stopped growing?  Physically?  Spiritually? Emotionally?  Man, I hope not but truthfully I know that I have.  If we stop growing then we start dyeing!  I'm too young to die!  I'm going to have to get intentional about this.  I'm going to have to be open about my growth process and get accountability in these areas.  Tracy always tells me that she loves it when I read.  The reason that she loves it is because when she sees me growing and then she know that I'm going to cause the family to grow as well.  

So I dare you to ask yourself this question as well, "Have you stopped growing in any area of your life and what are you going to do about it?"