Leadership Thought: A Leadership Thought That Isn't a Leadership Thought-Please Read to the End

Dear Friends,

I hope many of you took the time to watch the video I shared in yesterday's Leadership Thought.

I had several positive comments regarding the message.

One of those comments came from a friend in a former church I pastored who for many years ran a very successful advertising firm. 

He writes, "This is awesome.  I’m hoping those copied will read it and listen and watch the video.  It’s like taking a very expensive management course…GRATIS. Thanks for your continuing effort to keep us management-trained on earth and heading upward."

Other comments were also of a very positive nature, and I was grateful to hear from so many of you.

I appreciate feedback. It is always an encouragement when I hear from one of you and learn that something I have shared has been helpful or encouraging. 

I am also grateful when I receive constructive criticism as I value your comments and reactions. They challenge me to work harder to improve the quality of my writing.

Part of the reason I am up early is the hope that in writing to you I can share something of value that will make a positive difference in how you live your life. 

Having said this, I want you to know that I am not in the least bit offended when someone, for whatever reason, asks to be removed from my mailing list. These days we are all deluged with unwanted e-mails, and I am constantly unsubscribing from services that are no longer of interest to me. I hope you will feel free to do the same. 

Some messages I share are overtly biblical and  spiritual in nature, and some are more general, directed to some aspect of leadership, but either way, my goal is always the same: to stimulate you "to love and good works" as you seek to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

I would be remiss, however, if I neglected to confess that part of my motivation for writing is selfish in nature. I write because I long to stay in touch with so many of you who have touched my life, and writing is one  way I can keep those treasured friendships alive.

Maintaining friendships is a valuable goal for me, and that is why I rejoice whenever I hear from someone I haven't seen or heard from in many years. In fact, I recently received a phone call from a friend on my mailing list who I hadn't seen in over 40 years. 

Because cultivating friendships is so important to me, I work at it, and I hope you do too.

Just this week I experienced the loss of three friends who were high school classmates. All were very successful athletes who made a difference in  our high school and later in the colleges they attended. Their quick and sudden passing was a stark reminder to me of why it's so important to keep in touch with  friends. 

Thankfully, I talked with one of these friends just a week before his passing, but one never knows how long those friends will be around for you to talk to.

Jay Kessler, former president of Taylor University where my daughter and son in law attended, writes "One of my goals in life is to wind up with eight men who are willing to carry one of my handles." Jay J Kessler, Being Holy, Being Human. 

Enough said! Pick up the phone and make that call.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: Are You a 'Plus' Kind of Person?

Dear Friends,

One of the most significant books I read in seminary was not a textbook on theology, but a paperback best seller by Dale Carnegie titled How to Win Friends and Influence People. This classic was one of the most important books I have ever read, for it was filled with insights on how to connect and build relationships with others.

Relationships are key to success in every area of our lives. Successful and productive people find ways to connect and build positive relationships with others.

Successful people are those who not only connect with others; they add value to others. 

When I think of Jesus, I think of how he spent so much of his life connecting with and adding value to people. 

Whether it was Zacchaeus, Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, or little children, they felt of value when they were with him.

Following in the footsteps of Jesus would remind us that he loved people, and the people he loved were changed, for loving people is the most powerful agent of change.

I love being around 'plus' people. They are the people who add value to our lives. We are drawn to them because we know that when we are with them, they will make our lives just a little bit better.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (AMP) says "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him."

It is not only our words but our actions that attract or repel others. Are you an 'adder' or a 'subtracter’? Do people flock to you because they love being around you, or do they run from you to avoid you?

Connecting with and valuing people takes a degree of  intentionality. We need to 'make' time to consciously think of ways we could add value to others and in doing so make their lives a little better.  

Our actions don't have to be monumental to make a difference in someone's life. One can start small. It's not the size of the action but thoughtfulness behind the action that counts. 

However, this kind of thoughtfulness takes intentionality. If we don't take time to think of those ways we can make a difference, we won't be difference makers.

Add value kind of people are always on the lookout for ways they can make one's life a little better.

A card or note, a phone call, a timely visit, a delivered dinner, small gift are all meaningful and thoughtful acts of kindness that can make a difference in another's life.

I recently listened to a podcast by John Maxwell who told how his nine-year-old grandson had sought to make a difference in other people's lives.

John had recently challenged him to add value to people, and his grandson eagerly welcomed the challenge. 

He said, "Papa, I know what I'm going to do tomorrow to add value to people. I'm going to open the doors for people, and I'm not only going to open doors, but I am going to smile at them and say, 'have a good day.'" 

The next evening, John received a call from his grandson. "Papa, Papa, I want you to know I opened 42 doors today."  And you know what: that little boy made a difference in 42 lives that day.

This 9-year-old boy got the message, and in his own way, like Jesus,  he demonstrated he valued people.

Valuing people takes 'up front' thinking. It probably won't happen spontaneously.

Why not take a few minutes today and ask God to show you what you can do or say that might make a difference in someone's life? I promise you that you'll make two people glad you did.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: What Does It Mean to Be Holy?

Dear Friends,

When was the last time you heard someone describe you as being holy?

I wish I could say I personally remember, but I can't. And yet our brother Peter tells us that as believers we are to  exhibit that very attribute.

Holiness is what God desires for each one of his followers, but few of us would ever be comfortable acknowledging that we fit this description.

The words holy and holiness  occur more than 900 times in scripture, making them the most mentioned attributes of God recorded in the bible.

Peter writes, "Therefore, gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:13-15).

Oswald Chambers writes "God's only goal is to produce saints. God is not some eternal blessing- machine for people to use. And he did not come to save us out of pity-he came to save us because he created us to be holy."

Those who love God should strive to make holiness the primary purpose of their life.

The word holy comes from a Greek, word 'hagios,' which means to be set apart, to be different, to be separate.

"A holy life stands out; it is a voice; it speaks when the tongue is silent, and it is either a constant attraction or a perpetual reproof." (Archbishop Robert Leighton 1611-1684).

God never tells us to do something in His Word for which he does not give us a concrete  set of instructions.

So how then does one's life reflect holiness?

One of the most obvious ways is by our being obedient in every area of our life: our words, actions and our thoughts.

There is no holiness without obedience.  As Jerry Bridges notes, "The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 obeyed by faith... obedience is the pathway to holiness."

If you are a Christian, it isn't because you have done everything you can to live a holy life. No, you are a Christian by grace. Your salvation has nothing to do with your efforts to be holy and to be pleasing to God. You can't earn his love. You already have every ounce of that love. Holiness is nothing more than a bi product of your love for Jesus.

In Pilgrim's Progress, Hopeful has just told Christian his testimony; and Christian says, this to Hopeful:

"This was a revelation to your soul Indeed. Tell me particularly, what effect this had upon your spirit." 

And then Hopeful replies: "it made me love a holy life and long to do something for the honor and the glory of the Lord Jesus. Yes, I thought that, had I  now had a thousand gallons of blood in my body, I could spill it all for the sake of the Lord Jesus" (Quote from a sermon on 1 Peter by Steve Brown). 

Holiness is nothing more than our response to the outpouring of Christ's love.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. "A holy life will produce. the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; They only shine." Dwight. L Moody.

"You can't live a holy life, but you can decide to let Jesus make you holy." Oswald Chambers

A Different Kind of Leadership Thought

Dear Friends,

It has been said that "He who laughs, lasts," and so in the interest of some laughter and levity, I leave you with my "Friday Funnies."  

Last night our Life Group liked them, and my hope is that so will you.

And, for some of you who are of the more serious nature, I leave you with 5 questions that you might consider using when initiating an evangelistic conversation. 

The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

Be decisive. Right or wrong, make a decision. The road is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision.

When I get a headache, I take two aspirin and keep away from children. Just like the bottle says.

Just once, I want the prompt to username and password to say, close enough.

Becoming an adult is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.

If you see me talking to myself, just move along. I’m self-employed. We’re having a meeting.

Your call it very important to us. Please enjoy the 40-minute flute solo.

I hate it when I can’t figure out how to operate the iPad and my tech support guy is asleep. He’s 5, and it’s past his bedtime.

Today’s 3-year-olds can switch on laptops and open their favorite apps. When I was 3, I ate mud.

Tips for a successful marriage. Don’t ask your wife when dinner will be ready while she’s mowing the lawn.

So, you drive across town to a gym to walk on a treadmill?

Old age is coming at a really bad time.

If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.

Last year, I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven’t met yet.

Why do I have to press 1 for English, when you’re just going to transfer me to someone I can’t understand anyway?

Now, I’m wondering, did I send this to you, did you send it to me? Or have I only sent it to myself?

You don’t need anger management. You need people to stop irritating you.

Your people skills are just fine. It’s your tolerance for idiots that needs work.

On time is, when you get there.

Even duct tape can’t fix stupid, but it sure does muffle the sound.

It would be wonderful if we could put ourselves in the dryer for 10 minutes, then come out wrinkle free, and three sides of smaller.

Lately, you’ve noticed people your age are so much older than you.

One for the road means peeing before you leave the house.

I am Indebted to Ned Newland, a friend and former member of a church I pastored, for  sending these to me as well as any laughter they may have caused.

And now in a more serious vein, I leave with you five questions you might use in initiating an evangelistic conversation.

Do you have any spiritual beliefs?

To you, who is Jesus?

Do you think there is a heaven and hell?

If you died right now, where do you think you would you go?

If what you believe were not true, would you want to know?  

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: A Mother's Lament about Her Son's Failure

Dear Friends,

Yesterday I received an e-mail from a distraught mom and member of our church family whose son had just experienced failure on the athletic field. He was discouraged, defeated, and was ready to quit the game he loved.

I am sure many of us can identify with the pain of this mother, for we always want the best for our children.

I would remind this mom and everyone else who might have experienced failure in life that some people get knocked down, and never get up.  Others, however, are like that plastic inflatable figure children play with. No matter how hard or how many times they get hit, they always bounce right back up. They refuse to remain down.

Champions in life know that it is always too soon to quit, and that a winner is one who gets up one more time than he gets knocked down.

Long ago, I memorized the following quote that has always been an encouragement to me whenever I experienced failure. It is called the "Possibility Thinkers Creed."  

"When I come to a mountain, I will not quit. I will climb over it, go around it, tunnel through it, and if none of these are possible, I'll stay there and mine for gold."

I like the kind of determination contained within that little creed. When we know that God is on our side, we understand that success is only a dream away.

Edmund Hillary lost several members of his party while seeking to conquer Mount Everest. He returned to London sad and disappointed by his failure. The royal family planned a celebration to honor him, and they invited all the prestigious dignitaries to be a part of it. 

As Hillary stepped to the podium, everyone applauded. Tears flowed from Hillary's face as he remembered those he left behind on that icy slope.

Behind him was a huge picture of that unconquered mountain on which no man had ever set foot. When the applause died down and it was his time to speak, without saying a word, Hillary turned his back to his audience and raised his hand to the picture of Mount Everest, and forming a fist, he said,  "Mount Everest, I will come back again and defeat you, for you can't get any bigger than I am," and a few years later, he conquered that formidable mountain becoming the first man to ever do so. 

Now that's the kind of attitude I love to see in people, the kind that always knows that it is too soon to quit.

Failure can be  a great teacher. The apostle Peter learned that, and so did David who walked through his own dark valley of discouragement, but one of the best examples of all was the Apostle Paul, who knew something about the challenge of dealing with difficult circumstances. 

In writing to the Corinthian church, he penned these words: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Paul was the kind of leader that everyone would love to have on his team. He was the kind of leader who knew that it is always too soon to quit.

Satan's strategy is to keep Christians preoccupied with their failures, and when this happens, he wins the battle. 

Again, and again Satan plays and sings that failure tune, and before long you begin singing it to. 

But I encourage you to sing another song. It goes like this: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4: 13).  

And guess what? Before long, you will discover that you are a winner, and that you too can finish strong in whatever race you run. 

Yours and faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. An assistant of Thomas Edison once sought to console the inventor over his failure to achieve success in a series of experiments that he had tried. "Oh," said, Mr. Edison, "We have lots of results for we know 700 things that won't work." 

Is it any wonder that Edison invented the light bulb?

Leadership Thought: Something the World Needs More Of

Dear Friends,

I listen to a number of Bible teachers on the internet, and one of my favorites is Greg Laurie. This afternoon on my walk, I listened to a message he taught on my favorite subject, encouragement.

I am not shy about using other's material, but I am always careful to give credit to my source, so I must confess that much of this message is more Greg's than mine, for his message was just too good not to share.

He tells of a group of frogs who were walking through the forest and two of the frogs fell into a pit. The remaining frogs looked down from the side of the pit at the two fallen frogs below. 

"You'll never get out of the pit."

"Why don't you just give up and die," they shouted, and one of them did and died. But the remaining frog wouldn't give up, and he kept jumping and jumping and jumping to try to get out while all the time the frogs above were yelling and screaming at the frog to quit and give up.

Suddenly, to the surprise of the other frogs, he was able to jump out of the pit.

The surprised frogs said, "Didn't you hear us. We were yelling at you to give up, but you ignored us and kept on jumping. How did you do it?"

"Oh," said the frog, "I am hard of hearing, and I thought you were cheering for me."

We live in a time when there is a great need for cheerleaders.

There is a lot of negative communication going on in our world today. People are angry, mean spirited, critical and uncaring, and we see the impact of these behaviors as we watch the television news. Another shooting, another murder, another mugging, another rape,...

Greg shared some alarming statistics in pointing out the impact this negative behavior is having on the mental health among our young people. 

"The rates of depression among young people between 14-17 grew by more than 60% from 2009 to 2017, and it has gone up even more since then." 

"Suicide rates among young people have more than doubled in the last decade, and 43% of millennials report being concerned about their mental health." 

"It's not just young people who are feeling the effects of depression. It's older people as well. Many are feeling forgotten, left out, unappreciated, and passed over. They too, are in need of someone to tell them that they matter." 

"Men who are 65 and older face the highest risk of suicide, and men who are 85 and older are the second most likely group to take their own lives."

So, what do all these people have in common? I think what they all have in common is a need for a word of encouragement.

Encouragement is "oxygen to the soul and we can't live very long without it."

Mother Teresa taught that "kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are endless."

Mark Twain used to say that "one compliment can keep me going for a month."

The scriptures provide us with some specific advice regarding the value of encouragement.

Proverbs 25:11 reminds us that "The right word at the right time is like precious gold in a setting of silver."

1 Thess. 5:11 states we should "Encourage one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts us "To consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as is the habit of some, and encouraging one another all the more."

Our world certainly does need a large dose of encouragement, something that is in very short supply these days.

The late New Testament scholar William Barclay wrote "One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement. It is easy to laugh at men's ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or  appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word." Encouragement, The Art of Giving, The Joy of Receiving, Walt Wiley.

I am now about to head to a luncheonette where I will attend a weekly breakfast with a couple of friends, and I know Monica, our waitress, will be eager to see us. No, it's not because we are unusually great tippers, which we're not, but it's because our conversation is generally  positive and  encouraging, and what waitress doesn't appreciate that kind of communication?

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S, Greg shared an acronym for helping us to monitor our behavior insuring we are not a part of the negative climate. THINK before you communicate. T, is it truthful; H, is it helpful; I, is it inspiring; N, is it necessary; and K, is it kind.

Leadership Thought: What God Wants to Teach Us Through Our Trials.

Dear Friends

A test is a difficult experience through which a person's true values, commitments, and beliefs are revealed. 

A college sophomore in anticipation of a notoriously difficult final exam in his ornithology class- that's the study of birds-made what he considered the ultimate effort in preparation for his exam. 

He was then stunned when he walked into the classroom to take the exam and found there was no blue book, no multiple-choice questions, no text booklet at all- just 25 pictures on the wall. They were photos, not of birds, but of birds' feet. The test was to identify each of the twenty-five birds by only their feet.

"This is insane," the student protested. "It can't be done."

"It must be done," said the professor. "This is the final."

"I won't do it," the boy said, "and I'm walking out."

"Go ahead and fail me," the boy said, heading for the door. 

"OK, you failed. What is your name," the professor demanded?

The boy pulled up his pantlegs, kicked off his shoes, and said, "You tell me."

Yes, tests do reveal a lot about a person's true value. 

It has been said that "Christians are a lot like tea bags- not much good until they have been placed in the hot water. It is only when we find ourselves in the hot water that our true colors are revealed. 

In one of my favorite devotional books, Steams in the Desert I read the following message regarding trials and testing.

"We must win the victory in the furnace.  It is there that our faith is truly revealed. It is in the fires of affliction and adversity that our character is able to shine.

A person has only as much faith as he/she shows in times of trouble. 

The three men who were thrown into the fiery furnace came out just as they went in- except for the ropes that had bound them. 

How often God removes our shackles in the furnace of affliction.

These three men walked through the fire unhurt. Their skin was not even blistered. Not only had the fire not harmed their bodies, but not a hair of their heads was singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them" (Daniel 3: 27)

This is the way Christians should come out of the furnace of fiery trials- liberated from their shackles, and untouched by the flames.  

When it is dark enough, men see the stars. Adversity, affliction, trials and temptations all provide the backdrop against which our character may shine as stars in the night.

When we find ourselves in difficult situations, the world is watching to see how we respond. Our faith is on trial. What they see revealed in us- light or darkness- may have a profound bearing on who they become, both now and for eternity." Streams in the Desert, April 3. 

Peter writes. "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold, which though perishable, is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1: 6-7).

We may question or complain about why God puts us through suffering. 

"God, you already know what's in my heart, and how I am going to do, so why do you put me through this?" 

But Peter tells us the truth. God tests us not for His benefit, but for our benefit. He doesn't put us through the test so that He can find out how we will respond, for He already knows. He tests us so that we might know how we will respond. The test is for our benefit, not His.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P. S. "Calamity is the perfect mirror, wherein we truly see and know ourselves."  William Davenant