[…]of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life, Jesus of Nazareth.” (Dr. James Allan, ©1926) What often comes across as merely Christmas card captions are there for the quick reading in our holiday mail: “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Or: “He came to pay a debt He didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.” But while even many non-Christians can tolerate a cute little baby in a manger, it’s when Jesus gets out of his crude crib and grows up that the deaf ear becomes turned. It’s not that He just merely talks […]
[…]comments? Do you fire back with insults, or are you exercising servant leader restraint? (1 Peter 2:23) How effectively do you take the spiritual high road when resolving conflicts? (James 1:20, Proverbs 15:1) When project goals are seemingly being thwarted, do you entertain the idea that God can also work through this opposition? (Romans 8:28, Acts 8:1) More leadership articles on the website Courageous Command: Beyond Battlefield Boldness Lessons in Leadership…from a Squadron Janitor Leadership […]
[…]He was, in a phrase, “…quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19). He was genuine. He wore his faith naturally, without shame or pretense. It was a natural part of him. He didn’t make a point of stressing it. If you got to know him, you experienced his contagious faith. He was “…always prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (I Peter 3:15). Moreover, he was smart enough to know his leadership success depended on people liking and respecting him, and […]
[…]are an important aspect of your character. I’ve found it helpful to pray through Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Watch out for pride. Many a commander has been caught up in his success and been trapped by the things of this world as described in 1 John 5:16 above. Satan is subtle in his attacks. Proverbs warns that, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). It’s difficult […]
[…]Jesus redefined leadership for His disciples. This redefinition came on the heels of a request by James and John to be seated on the right and left of Jesus in Heaven. Upon hearing of the brothers’ request, the other disciples became upset and began to quarrel. Jesus gathered them and said, “…’whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all'” (Mark 10:44 RSV). Serve others if you want to lead. This new concept was hard to swallow then and still is today, because of the self-focused tendency […]
