Leadership Thought: For Those Serious About Serving and Who Are Looking for a Towel and Basin.

Dear Friends, 

It is true that leadership has more to do with service then status, for "humble work becomes holy work when it's done for God."

As part of our hospitality ministry when I served on staff at Calvary Chapel, Fort Lauderdale, the pastors would meet to pray before the services. We would pray something like this: "Lord help us have your eyes, ears, and heart that we might see, and hear, and feel as you see, hear, and feel and help us to be available for whatever ministry you might have in store for us this day." 

And so often, as we would go forth in the spirit of this prayer, God would surprise us by providing opportunities to minister to people in ways we had never anticipated. Whether praying with a person at the altar after service, helping someone who had lost some money in the soda machine, or walking with the visitor rather than directing them to the sanctuary or the nursery, we would discover that serving in such menial ways would often open the door for greater ministry. 

Saint John of the Cross, a 16th century mystic said it so well: "A Christian should always remember the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, (and I would add their outward significance) but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things. Little things become big things when they are done in the spirit of love."

When I think of people in the Bible who possessed servant's heart, I think of a little-known servant named Onesiphorus. Paul is in prison and his good friend Onesiphorus is searching for him. Paul writes, "May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me" (2 Timothy 1:16-18). 

As I read these verses, I could almost feel the beat of Onesiphorus's heart as he searched hard for his good friend.  Some translations use the words, "eagerly searched," which convey the idea of intensity and determination. He was not to be thwarted in his effort to find his beloved friend and prisoner, Paul.

I close with the words of D. L. Moody who wrote: "A good many are kept out of service for Christ because they are trying to do some great thing. Let us be willing to do little things. And let us remember that nothing is small in which God is the source."

So, grab your towel and basin and begin serving. It might not be washing feet, but instead it might be something as simple as holding a hand, shedding a tear, making a meal, or offering a listening ear. Show me just such a person, and I will show you a person with a servant's heart, and one who brings great joy to the Master.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. "If I cannot do great things for God, I can do small things in a great way." James Freeman Clarke

Leadership Thought: Why Some Leaders Fail to Connect with Their People

Dear Friends,

In the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership John Maxwell writes. “You have to touch a heart before you ask for a hand.”

People buy into your leadership because they like you, so in connecting with people it is important to take the time and effort to build solid relationships if you expect your people to support and go along with you.

People must identify with you relationally and emotionally before they buy into your leadership.

Too often leaders ignore this principle. They assume because they are the leader, their people will or should automatically follow them.

However, unless a leader is willing to take the time and effort to build a solid relationship with his people, he can’t expect them to support and follow him.

People will do things with you because they like you, and if your people don’t like you, they probably won’t trust you or go along with you.

 This is a tough law for leaders because they are often unwilling to do the relational homework necessary to connect with their people.

A locomotive has to back up to connect and couple with the other cars.

Connecting is the leader’s responsibility, and it takes time and patience to build those relationships.

As a former coach, I know that one may possess supreme knowledge of the game, but if your players don’t like you, you probably are not going to be very successful.

The stronger your relationship with your players, the more successful you will be

Maxwell writes, “It is one thing to communicate to people because you believe you have something of value to say. It’s another to communicate with people because you believe they have value. ” If people don’t like you, they won’t go along with you.

It may sound corny but it’s true. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Herb Kelleher the founding president of Southwest Airlines, who was known for connecting with his people. On Boss’s Day in 1994 his people took out a full-page ad in USA Today and addressed the following message to Kelleher.

“Thanks, Herb, for remembering every one of our names.

For supporting the Ronald McDonald house.

For helping load baggage on Thanksgiving.

For giving everyone a kiss (and we mean everyone).

For listening.

For running the only profitable major airline.

For singing at our holiday party.

For singing only once a year.

For letting us wear shorts and sneakers to work.

For golfing at the LUV Classic with only one club.

For out talking Sam Donaldson.

For riding your Harley Davidson into Southwest headquarters.

For being a friend, not just a boss.

Happy Boss’s Day from each one of your 16,000 employees.”

(Taken from 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell

This kind of letter can only be written by those who are fortunate enough to work for a boss who knows the secret of connecting.

Yes, we must never forget "to touch a person’s heart before we ask them for a hand."

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Indebted to the thoughts of John Maxwell in the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership as well as a podcast by John on the same topic.

Leadership Thought: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Dear Friend, 

I am sitting here at my desk this morning reflecting on what I might write for today's Leadership Thought. I confess that Christmas and other holidays are hard for me as these special days are generally a time when I am with my family, and there will always be that empty chair around the dinner table. 

It has been my second Christmas without Jean, and as I write I confess the thought of her not being with us on Christmas morning brings tears to my eyes as I type these words. 

They say each year gets a little easier, but those who have lost loved ones know that this is not always the case.

I have found the best antidote to one's sadness is service, to forget one's loss by focusing on doing something for others. 

And so last night I called one of Jean's close friends who is now in a nursing home and suffering through the early stages of dementia, and I invited her to join us for our family Christmas dinner.

Serving and caring for others takes the focus off ourselves and our own needs and  reminds us that one of the best ways to help yourself is to help others.

Noted pastor and author Chuck Swindoll invites us to be daily "gift givers" as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, and he lists a number of special gifts we can offer others in a recent article titled "The Gift That Keeps on Giving." 

Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion. Hug someone tightly and whisper, "I love you." Forgive an enemy. Be gentle and patient with an angry person. Express appreciation. Gladden the heart of a child. Make or bake something for someone else. Anonymously. Listen. Speak kindly to a stranger. Enter another's sorrow. Smile. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Lessen your demands on others. Apologize if you were wrong. Talk together with the television off. Do the dishes for the family. Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly. Encourage an older person. Point out one thing you appreciate about someone. Offer to babysit for a weary mother. This is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Let's make Christmas one long, extended gift of ourselves to others—just like God's great gift of love to us. Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or hesitation. Now that's what I call a Merry Christmas! Yours in faith and friendship, Tom

Leadership Thought: Three Christmas Gifts I Just Received That I Will Never Forget

Dear Friends,

I woke up this morning with the word ‘thoughtfulness’ on my mind. I suspect it has much to do with some Christmas gifts I received yesterday.

My son-in-law’s sister, Lauren and brother-in-law, Alex had joined us to celebrate Christmas. The day before Christmas, Alex noticed a need as I was walking around with no shoes on and with a few of my toes protruding from an old pair of socks. Yes, I am known to be on the casual side.

Alex also noticed my need for a new belt. My old belt, which I have worn for as long as I can remember and which was probably purchased many years ago at some thrift store -I am not only casual, but cheap or frugal as I would describe it- was long overdue for replacement.

Lauren noted how much I loved my little dog Maggie who spent so much of the time by my side. Unbeknownst to me, she had snapped a picture of Maggie while I was cuddling her in my arms.

On Christmas day my friends surprised me by gifting me with 12 pair of new socks, a brand-new belt-don’t remember the last time I had worn a new one- and the picture Lauren had taken of me and Maggie which she had developed and framed.

I was overcome with appreciation for my friends’ thoughtfulness

I love being around thoughtful people.

Thoughtful people have a way of saying just the right thing and performing just the right action. They are thoughtful and always on the lookout to lift up and bless others.  Thoughtful people are 'thinkful' people. They are intentional about being thoughtful. They spend time thinking, planning, and yes, even praying about how they can bless the lives of others because they are ‘other minded.’

Jesus says, "Whoever in the name of a disciple shall give even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, truly I tell you that person will certainly not lose their reward" (Matthew 10:42).

In the Book of Hebrews, we are told that the Lord is not forgetful to reward our works of righteousness (Heb. 6:10).

When you do something for someone else, that act may eventually be forgotten by the one who receives it, but it will never be forgotten by the Lord. He promises us that He will never forget that action and that the giver will always be rewarded. Perhaps now, but even better, in heaven.

So many of the special gifts I remember are not sizeable, expensive, or the kind that might overwhelm you. A phone call reminding you that you are loved and not forgotten, an unexpected meal delivered when you were too tired to cook, a babysitter who shows up so you and your spouse can have a much-needed night out are all examples of the kind of thoughtfulness that will seldom be forgotten.

Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden was once asked how he would like to be remembered. He replied, "I would like to be remembered as a normal person that was considerate (thoughtful)  of others. That would be enough for me." 

So, as we enjoy the day after Christmas, let's stop thinking about ourselves and begin thinking of others, which is the first step in sowing the seeds of thoughtfulness.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. Lest I forget another thoughtful gift, I  thank my daughter Betsy for the 2’ by 4’ foot glass framed vintage poster of Johnny Cash that came straight from a record shop in Nashville. What a Christmas!

Leadership Thought: A Graduation Message That I Will Never Forget

Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago, Lee Rankin, a friend of mine who I had met in a former church and who is now living in Virginia with his wife Peg, a noted Christian author, sent me a u tube message given at a college graduation.

It was one of the most inspiring graduation messages I had ever heard, and this morning I decided to share it with you. I think you will agree that the lessons Rick Rigsby learned from his father, a third-grade dropout, are unforgettable. 

If you don't have time to listen to this ten-minute message, I encourage you to save it and listen to it at another time. You won't be disappointed.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II0PqF-S-CY

I did my best to transcribe the message below, but it loses much of it impact when it is read and not heard.

Transcribed Message

I want you to meet the best person I have ever met in my life. A 3rd grade dropout. Why is this in dropout in the same sentence may seem Oxy Moronic, like jumbo shrimp, or like a fun run. Ain't nothing fun about it. Like Microsoft works. Y'all don't hear me. I used to say I don't  like country music, but I've lived in Texas so long I love country music now. I  hunt. I fish.  I wear cowboy boots and cowboy hats and I say y'all. I'm a black neck, redneck.

Do you hear what I'm saying to you? It's no longer oxymoronic for me to say country music. And it's not Oxymoronic for me to say 3rd grade dropout for that 3rd grade dropout was the wisest person I ever met in my life. He taught me to combine knowledge and wisdom to make an impact. He was my father, a simple cook.

 Why is this man the wisest man I've ever met in my life? Just a simple cook, he left school in the 3rd grade to help on the family farm. But just because he left school doesn't mean he lost his education.  Mark Twain once said, “I've never allowed my schooling to get in the way of my education.” My father taught himself how to read, taught himself how to write, decided in the midst of Jim Crowism as America was breathing the last gasp of the Civil War.

 My father decided he was going to stand and be a man. Not a black man, not a brown man, not a white man, but a man. He's literally challenged himself to be the best that he could every day of his life.

I have 4 degrees. My brother is a judge. We're not the smartest ones in our family. It's a 3rd grade drop out. It's my Daddy, who was quoting Michelangelo saying to us, “Boys, I won't have a problem if you aim high and miss, but I'm going to have a real issue if you aim low and hit.

 I learned from a country father who quoted Henry Ford saying, " If you think you can or if you think you can't, you're right. I learned that from a 3rd grade father simple lessons like these  "Son you need to be an hour early than a minute late.”

 We never knew what time it was in my house because the clocks were always set ahead. My father left the house at 3:45 in the morning. One day mom asked him why and he said, "Maybe one of my boys will catch me in the act of excellence.

I want to share two things with you. Aristotle said. “You are what you repeatedly do Therefore excellence ought to be a habit, not an act.”  Don't ever forget that. I know you're tough, but always remember to be kind. Always. Don't ever forget that. Never embarrass Mama for, if Mommy ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. If Daddy ain't happy, don't nobody care.

I learned from a cook over there in the galley who said,” Son, make sure your servant’s towel is bigger than your ego.” Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.” You all might have a relative in mind you may want to send that to? Let me say it again.  “Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.”

“Pride is the burden of a foolish person,” said. John Wooden, coach of basketball at U. C. L. A.  He said his calling was to impact people. And with all those national championships, guess what he was found doing in the middle of the week-going into the cupboard, grabbing the broom and sweeping his own gym floor. You want to make an impact on others every day of your life? You find your broom. You grow your influence. 

Final. lesson. Son, you're going to do a job. Do it right. Don’t ever be average.  I stand here before you, and tell myself,  every single day  I shoot for the stars seeking to be best that I can be. Good isn't good enough. If you can do better than better isn't good enough if it can be the best.

Let me close with a very personal story that I think will bring all this into focus. Wisdom will come to you in the unlikeliest resources. A lot of times in failure when you hit rock bottom, remember this while you're struggling that rock bottom can also be a great foundation on which to build on and grow. I'm not worried that you will be successful. I'm worried that you won't fail from time to time. The person that gets up off the canvas and keeps growing is the person that will continue to grow their influence.

Back in the 70s I met one of the finest women I ever met in my life. Back in my day we would call her  a brick ......house. This woman was the finest woman I'd ever seen in my life.  There's one little problem back in those day, ladies didn't like big old football linemen- the movie The Blind Side hadn't come out. They liked quarterbacks and running backs and I go to this dance, and I find out her name is Trina William. And we were all dancing, and I decided in the middle of dancing  that I would ask her for a phone number.  Trina was the only woman in college who gave me her real telephone number. The next day we walked to Baskin Robbins ice cream parlor. My friends couldn't believe it. This was 40 years ago, and my friend I  still can't believe it. We go on a second date and a third date and a fourth date. We drive from Chico to Vallejo so that she can meet my parents. My father meets her. My daddy, my hero meets her, pulls me to the side and says, is she psycho? But anyway, we go. together for a year, two years, three years. four years by now. Trina's a senior in college. I'm still a freshman, but I'm working some things out. I'm so glad I graduated in 4 terms. Reagan, Nixon, Carter Kennedy.

 So now it's time to propose. I talked to her girlfriends and it's California. It's in the 70s, so they told me it has to be outside. I have to have a candle and have to have, you know, some chocolate. Listen, I'm from the hood. I had a bottle of Broom's farm wine. That's what I had. She said yes. That was the key. I married the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.  And even before the wedding starts, you hear this? How in the world? And it was coming from my side of the family.

We get married. We have a few children. Our lives are great. One day, Trina finds a lump in her left breast. Breast cancer. Six years after that diagnosis, me and my two little boys walked up to Mommy's casket. And for two years my heart didn't beat. If it wasn't for my faith in God, I wouldn't be standing here today. If it wasn't for those two little boys, there'd have been no reason for me to go on. I was completely lost. That was rock bottom. You know what sustained me? The wisdom of a 3rd grade dropout. The wisdom of a simple cook. We're at the casket. I've never seen my dad crying. But this time I saw my dad cry. That was his daughter. Trina was his daughter, not his daughter-in-law. And I'm right behind my father about to see her for the last time on this earth. And my father shared three words with me to change my life right there at the casket. It would be the last lesson he would ever teach me. He said, “Son, just stand. You just keep standing. No matter how rough the sea is, you keep standing. And I'm not talking about just water. You keep standing no matter what. You don't give up.” 

 And as clearly as I'm talking to you today, these were some of my mom’s  last words to me. She looked me in the eye. and she said, “it doesn't matter to me any longer how long I live. What matters to me most is how I live. “

I shall ask one question, a question that I was asked all my life by a 3rd grade dropout. "How you living?"

How you living every day? Ask yourself that question. How are you living? Here's what a cook would suggest. You live this way: You will not judge, that you would show up early that you'd be kind and you make sure that your servant's towel is huge and used, and if you're going to do something you do it the right way, and that it's never wrong to do the right thing and how you do anything is how you do everything and in that way you will grow your influence to make an impact, and you will honor all those who have gone before you who have invested in you. And every day ask yourself how am I living? May God richly bless you all. Thank you for having me

Leadership Thought: Let Tear Down Those Dividing Political Walls

Dear Friend,

I am presently in California visiting my daughter and her family, and I've been without a computer for the last three days as I had some work done on it, so today is the first day I have been able to share a Leadership Thought.

We are currently living in an era when many are frightened and anxious about what the coming political change might bring. 

I am hoping our new political landscape will become a place where the healing of divisions will take place, and where we all can embrace and experience a new and positive hope for our future.

My hope is that we all will commit to being bridge builders as we usher in this new change in government leadership.

Regardless of your political perspective, I encourage each of you to put away any preconceived views of what the next four years might bring and choose to play a positive role in the much-needed healing of our land. 

By our attitudes and behaviors, let's become a new and unified ‘party’ who, regardless of our past political affiliations, is determined to heal our nation’s divisions and restore civility to all our relationships.

In short, let’s be a part of the solution to our nation’s brokenness and not the problem.

In the article below titled "New Era: As Love Increases” we are provided with an excellent solution.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

NEW ERA: AS LOVE INCREASES   The Berlin Wall was a barrier, dividing east from west. The division couldn’t last - walls never do, they crumble under God’s bright light, bringing people together again.   Every day we must go the extra mile to tear down any wall or fence that we discover within ourselves. Old prejudices, old belief patterns, even our ways of thinking and moment to moment living must be torn down if it does not serve the positive God-given life ahead.   In this new era, we must not have any blocks within ourselves, or between other people and us. The world is a small place. As humanity expands, there is NO ROOM for hate.   The mind is also too small for any limited belief that wishes harm to ourselves or to others whom we do not know.   As love increases, the stress of everyday life will decrease. Old competition patterns will change to the only true competition, which is comparing ourselves to what we were yesterday, and trying to better ourselves.   As love increases within our world, the wars will be won. Love is what we all crave. It is a basic human need, and that need will be fulfilled.   The age of deception and dishonesty is dying. These walls, erected to protect the unsure from a world in which they feel unsafe, are no longer needed. The age of safety is beginning.   I pray for the invisible walls to go down in our American cities. Walls that divide the intercity from suburbia; walls that divide cultures and religions. In this new era, religion must awaken to its responsibility of leading the way toward togetherness. Each must bring themselves to the mature position of perceiving likenesses instead of differences.   The question arises: as we grow together, will we lose our individuality, will we be clones going in massive waves, moved by the tide of race consciousness? The answer is no! Individuality will increase as we develop the inner security that is strong enough to affirm another unlike ourselves.   As divisions decrease, creativity increases. Human energy will not be divided in a daily division within ourselves, between self-protection and invention. I am not for a moment implying that we are entering a utopia. There will continue to be struggle and challenge. But it will be on a higher level as we enter a new phase in this classroom of life.   Topher Kearby taken from Clint Hurdle’s, “Daily Encouragement”

Leadership Thought: A Follow Up to Yesterday's Leadership Thought

Dear Friends,

I am heading to California today to visit my daughter and her family, and I will be away for the next week.

Before I left, I wanted to thank those of you dog lovers who responded to yesterday's Leadership Thought. I appreciated your comments.

I thought you would appreciate the message below from one of my readers.

On a final note, I was able to watch the Rumson Fair Haven football game (all my kid attended RFH), and I was so happy that after being runners' up the last two years for the state championship, they finally came out victorious yesterday completing a perfect 12-0 season. Congratulations to all you Bulldog fans.

My friend Rich writes:

"If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend’s limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against any creed, color, religion or politics,
Then, my friend,
you are ALMOST as good as your dog.”

Well said Rich, and thanks for reminding us of how close we are to being almost as good as our dogs!

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom 

Leadership Thought: The Day I Presided at My First Dog Celebration of Life

Dear Friend,

Unashamedly and unapologetically, I confess to being an over-the-top dog lover. In my lifetime of 83 years, I have never lived in a house without a dog.

My six-year-old miniature golden doodle, Maggie and I have shared a room and a bed together for the last six years, and there are few places that I travel where she doesn’t accompany me, including even prayer meetings. Fortunately, my wonderful wife Jean shared my same feelings for my special canine friends.

I wanted to take Maggie with me to California this week when I visit my daughter, so I purchased a dog carrier. Unfortunately, the 12 by 18-inch bag was just too tight a squeeze for Maggie, so sadly she will be staying behind as I travel west.

Last night I took Maggie to stay with my friend Dick Winters for the night as I wanted to see how she did before I left her with him for the week.

I confess it was hard for me to even leave her for the night, as we haven’t spent a day apart since Jean passed away almost two years ago.

My heart was sad as I watched and heard her whimpering as I said goodbye and headed for my car.

If you have never had dogs in your life, you will probably find it hard to understand the love and comfort they provide and how very much you miss them when you are separated.

And, if you have ever gone through the pain of losing your dog, you  know the heartache that such a loss entails.

Like me, my good friend Dick Winters, loves dogs, and he lost his 18-year-old Maltese, Chrissey, a few months ago. Broken hearted, Dick asked if I would so a Celebration of Life for Chrissey. I acknowledged in all my years of ministry, I had never been asked to do such a service, but loving dogs the way I do, and knowing the heart of my friend, I eagerly agreed and said yes.

So, several months ago, 12 of his friends and I, all dog lovers, gathered in chairs on his front lawn for the service. We prayed, read Scripture, shared dog stories, and laughed and cried together as we formally said goodbye to his dear little friend.  I closed the service by burying Chrissey’s cremains beside a little headstone Dick had purchased commemorating her life and death.

Now I am not one to unequivocally declare that dogs go to heaven, but I do confess to hoping they do, and I am not alone in feeling this way.

Noted writer, Randy Alcorn in his classic book Heaven,  writes, “ We believe that God will restore our beloved pets in heaven, not because they have souls, but as gifts for our pleasure. If we believe God is their Creator, that he loves us and them, that he intends to restore his creatures from the bondage they experience because of our sin, then we have biblical grounds for not only wanting, but expecting that we may be with them again on the New Earth.”

“Jesus said, “All things are possible.”

“Based on his declaration and that our all- powerful God created the universe, then we should anticipate a joyful celebration and reunion with our pets, friends, and family in heaven- a wonderful, exciting place beyond our wildest imaginations.”

There are other biblical scholars who feel the same, including John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who writes,” Something better remains after death for these poor creatures… that these., likewise shall one day be delivered from this bondage of corruption, and shall then receive an ample amends for all their present sufferings.”

Alcorn continues, “ Heaven is going to be a place that will refract and reflect in as many ways as possible, the goodness and joy of our great God, who delights in lavishing love on his children.” Randy Alcorn, Heaven

I ask, what greater way could God display his ‘goodness and joy’ than reuniting us in heaven  with our blessed pets?

 In a poem about the world to come, theologian, John Piper writes

“And as I knelt beside the brook, to drink, eternal life,

I took a glance across the Golden Grass, and saw my dog, old Blackie, fast as she could come,

She leaped the stream- almost - and what a happy gleam was in her eye.

I knelt to drink, and I knew that I was on the brink of endless joy.

And everywhere I turned, I saw. A wonder there. “

(John Piper, Future Grace, Multnomah, 1995, p. 140 Quoted from Heaven, Randy Alcorn.)

Dogs in heaven? I confess I don’t know, but I sure hope so.

 Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom and “Maggie”

Leadership Thought: Be Careful to Wrap the Truth in Love When Witnessing

Dear Friends,

"Choose being kind over being right and you will be right every time."  I memorized this quote by Richard Carlson because I believe it is an important principle to keep in mind when witnessing.

When I first read this quote, I thought of Paul's words to the Corinthians: "Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1). How important it is  to keep a balance between knowledge (truth) and love. 

It is so true that "Knowledge can become a weapon to hurt people or a tool to build them up."  Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary, Warren Wiersbe, p. 749.

How often I have watched people try to argue others into the Kingdom with biblical truth rather than loving them into the Kingdom through a biblical life. It is certainly far easier and more convenient to speak the truth than to live the truth, but we must do both if we are to be successful witnesses for Christ. Truth is important when sharing your faith, but we must always be careful to wrap the truth in love.

Howard Newton reminds us that "Truth is the art of making a point without making an enemy," and all Christians need to learn this principle. We can be right, but we can never be unloving for as Paul writes we must always "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15).

When the newly formed church in Antioch needed some doctrinal grounding, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to visit Antioch. Why Barnabas? I think it was because he was a loving truth teller, and because, while grounded in doctrine, the church knew he wouldn't use his knowledge as a club. They knew that he would be as interested in loving them as changing them. Barnabas was loving, accepting and flexible, and no doubt he developed a real ministry among that church where believers were first called Christians. It was the church at Antioch that sent the first missionaries into Europe.

Fortunately, Barnabas knew that truth always needs to be balanced with love, a love that tolerated those who may think differently, act differently, worship differently, and even believe differently.

Christians must learn to disagree without becoming disagreeable. We can witness to others by the way we 'disagree' with them.

This reminds me of the story involving Bishop Pike who for many years was a strong defender of biblical truth. However, in later years, he renounced biblical orthodoxy in favor of sciences and other non-biblical revelations. Before his death he was involved in a debate with a well-known Christian scholar who absolutely devastated him intellectually. The man ground him up and spit him out. He made Bishop Pike look like a fool, and the sad thing was that he didn't stop when Pike was down, but instead he kept whipping him and beating on him. Some of those who came to the debate as defenders of orthodox truth began losing their respect for the man who was acting so ungraciously, and before long some of them were even siding with Bishop Pike. As a result of the debate, the embarrassed Pike became even more adamant and convinced of his beliefs. The Christian won the argument, but he lost a soul in the process

Later in the same year Bishop Pike was involved in another debate, but this time it was with Francis Schaeffer from La'bri, the Swiss theologian and churchmen who was not only known for his grace and wisdom, but for his orthodox religious beliefs. Orthodox but loving, Schaeffer debated Bishop Pike's belief system graciously and lovingly. He pointed out the errors and Pikes belief system, but he did it in a charitable and non-dogmatic fashion. He would make his point and then he would back off, always giving Bishop Pike the opportunity to respond.

Do you know where Bishop Pike was headed before he mysteriously died in the desert? He was going to La'bri to sit at the feet and learn from Francis Schaeffer. 

Let us be reminded once again of the words of the 16th century theologian who wrote, "In essentials unity; In non- essentials liberty; In all things, charity.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

Leadership Thought: Have You Heard about the School That Was Named After the Janitor? 

Dear Friends,

What’s in the name?  Well, let’s ask Steve Hartman. When folks in Swedeborg, Mo. decided to name their elementary school building, everyone knew it had to be named after someone truly special.

When you have your name on a building that’s huge. The name  would have to be named after someone who was significant, right? .

Throughout history there’ve been many national figures who fit that bill. Also, there are lots of famous Missourians who would have been great choices to have their names inscribed over the front door of the school. But in the end, they went with Claudine Wilson.

Who is that, you might ask?  Meet school custodian, Claudine Wilson.

One of the school students said of her, “You can get her a vacuum cleaner, and she’ll appreciate it because she really likes cleaning.”

Another student commented, “Yeah, she’s like in the zone. She focuses, and she just really dedicates herself to the school.”

Her principal said, “She has given so much to the school, and over the past 30 years, she has taken on a busload of additional responsibilities from transportation coordination, often driving a bus when needed, to filling in for absent secretarial staff.”

From lunch duty to landscaping, from facility operations to fill in operator, she is always doing something to make the school better.

Claudine, Swedeborg’s school janitor does it all. Her “How  can I help you,” is a constant reminder that she is always seeking to help make things better for others.

She says, "I just keeps finding ways to serve others and the next thing I know, I was leaving at 6 in the morning and getting home about 7:30 at night.”

And what’s your motivation for doing all that?” she was asked.

“The kids, the kids; they are always in your heart.”

That’s what makes Claudine who she is, a servant of others.

School board president Chuck Boren says, “When these kids get sick, you think they go to the nurse to start with? No, they go to her. If they’ve had a bad night they go to her. I mean, she’s there for each and every one of them.

And after all, that’s why the school board voted unanimously for the new name of the school to be the Claudine Wilson School.

There’s really only one person in this whole community who remains unconvinced that Claudine deserves this honor: it’s Claudine!

She says, “It touches your heart, but I don’t think my name needs to be up on a building somewhere.”

 So, we’ll add humility to one of the reasons why her name needs to be up there.

In America, names on buildings often inspire greatness. The Swedeborg educational leaders define greatness a little differently than most people do.

“Would you want to be like her,” a student was asked?

“Yeah, that’s what everybody should want to be, you know, that’s what I would want to be, also.”

When I heard this news story yesterday morning on one of the news' channels, I thought it was just too good not to be shared.

Claudine is an example of a servant leader, who like Jesus, came to serve and help others,

Claudine, is more than just a successful person with a building named after her, she is significant, notable, and unforgettable,

It has been said “a leader serves by leading and leads by serving,” and a leader she is. She is the kind of servant leader who places others’ agendas above her own. Servant leaders always give more than they take, and they are always looking to serve and add value to others. They make others better.

An English, nobleman Sir Bartell Fere, served as governor of Bombay, India, in the 1860’s. He was known by both family and acquaintances as the ‘helpful man.’ On one occasion when he was returning from a long trip, his wife sent a newly hired servant to meet him and help him with his baggage. "How shall I know Sir Bartell?” asked the servant. The governor’s wife responded, “Look for a tall gentleman helping somebody.”

Let us never forget that like Claudine, “serving (and helping) others prepares us to lead others.” James Autry, from Practicing Servant Leadership.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom 

Leadership Thought: A Lesson in Blind Spot Recognition

Dear Friends,

The story of David Ross, a mostly a backup catcher for 8 different baseball teams over 15 seasons, is an interesting one.

Halfway through his career, he was cut by the Cincinnati Reds because it was said he was a bad teammate who never made others better. He eventually became the catcher for the Chicago Cubs helping them to win a World Series in 2016, and later managing them from 2000-2023.

After the experience of being cut by the Reds, one of the things he learned was how he could make other people better.

He knew if he could learn how to be a better teammate, he might have a greater future in the game of baseball.

Following being let go by the Reds, Ross committed to improving himself.  He went to the Atlanta Braves, opened a whiteboard, and started asking everybody who came through the locker room doors about the greatest teammate they ever had. He asked them to give him three words to describe that teammate, and he then proceeded to build a list of what it meant to be  a great teammate. And every day he took the field, whether he played or not, he checked the boxes while determining to be the kind of teammate that would make others better. And what he learned was that one can become invaluable without ever being most valuable.

You can become special in any organization if you commit to making others on your team better. Using that check list every day over the next few years, Ross not only became a better teammate, he became a great teammate and one of the team’s most valuable players.

Other teams now  wanted him, not so much because of his playing ability for he wasn’t the greatest of  players, but because he made the locker room better. He made the environment better.

After the Cubs won game 7 in the 2016 World Series against Cleveland, the players carried him off the field on their shoulders and named him the team's most valuable player. Why? Because he made other people better.

What was the leadership quality that David possessed? It was his ability to acknowledge his character blind spot and then do something about it. He was willing to admit he was a bad teammate and address it. Instead of saying, It’s the coaches fault or the managers fault or it’s someone else’s fault, he  actually owned his character issue. He said, “I know what I need to improve; and it’s myself, and I am going to do something about it.” He took ownership of his blind spot and addressed it, and in doing so he made a better future for himself.  

When was the last time you learned something for the first time and what was it?

It's hard for a leader at the top of his or her game to take time to learn those things about themselves they don’t see, but which are so obvious to others.

The reason that most leaders don’t see their blind spot(s) is because most leaders don’t like to admit they possess them. We all have blind spots, and it takes a strong leader to acknowledge them, and make the necessary changes to address them.

Good leaders are willing to ask others to help reveal to them their blind spot(s) and then do something to address them before they lead to one’s downfall. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a traumatic moment, like losing your job as David did, to realize what needs to be repaired within.

There are many potential blind spots a leader may be unable to recognize-ignoring feedback, communication style, favoritism, micromanaging, neglecting work/life balance, avoiding conflict, anger issues…and only a secure leader is willing to ask others for ‘blind spot feedback’ like David did, but sometimes doing so can make the difference between success and failure.

I close with the wise words of Beth Moore, who said, “If you and I can’t think of the last time we we’re wrong than we’re losing our grip on reality.”

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom