#73 - LEADER'S MENTOR

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Regardless of who it is.

Friends. Family Members. The Next Generation.

Leaders Mentor

Teach your values.
Model your beliefs.
Share your knowledge.

Leaders Mentor

Pass on your unique skills.
Pass on your learned wisdom.
Pass on your effective methods.

Leaders Mentor

Tell them. Show them. Let them. Correct them.
Tell them. Show them. Let them. Correct them.
Tell them. Show them. Let them. Correct them.

Leaders Mentor

Leaders invest life into life.

Is there a better investment that could possibly be made?

#72 - THE NEXT GENERATION

They will build.
They will discover.
They will innovate.

They will lead us.
They will educate us.
They will challenge us.

The next generation is the most important generation.

Their beliefs will determine our country’s beliefs.
Their morals will determine our country’s morals.
Their strength will determine our country’s strength.

But with that said…

Are we liking what we see so far?
Are we excited about the direction they are going?
Are we looking forward to the impact of their influence?

If not, let’s decide to do something about it.

While there’s still time…

Let’s love the next generation.
Let’s serve the next generation.
Let’s pray for the next generation.

All in anticipation of the day when,
as a result of our intentional investment into their lives,

They will bless us.

#71 - YOUR NEXT GIFT

Job well done.

You were given an assignment and you completed it.

Enjoy your victory.
Celebrate your success.
Appreciate your achievement…but not for too long.

There’s more to accomplish.

More lives to touch.
More lives to impact.
More lives to change.

More people to love.
More people to serve.
More people to inspire.

Your next gift is required.

Decide on it. Prepare it. Give it.

The world is waiting…

#70 - LEADERSHIP IS A PRIVILEGE

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To serve.
To share.
To sacrifice.

Leadership is a privilege.

To fix issues.
To free minds.
To further ideas.

Leadership is a privilege.

To impact culture.
To influence lives.
To inspire change.

Leadership is a privilege.

At your work.
In your home.
At your school.
In your business.

Leadership is a privilege.

Let’s just be sure to never start treating our privilege as a right.

#69 - YOUR MOMENT

It could happen any day now.

The stage will be set.

An opportunity will present itself.
Your practice will have prepared you.
The Spirit and power of God will be upon you.

This is your moment.

You will execute.
You will exceed expectations.
You will experience great satisfaction.

And as a result, your moment will give birth to…

More exposure.
Greater influence.
Increased responsibility.

Your moment will change your life forever.

I sense that my moment is not too far in the distance.

Are you anticipating yours?

#68 - IN REGARDS TO RADICAL THANKS

This year Thanksgiving was different.

Not only did I take the time to reflect upon and give thanks for my many blessings, but I also did my best to truly appreciate my struggles, weaknesses and hardships as well.

I am thankful for my financial difficulty.
I am thankful for our current inability to have a child.
I am thankful for the character flaws that I have yet to refine.
I am thankful for my unfulfilled goals, dreams and expectations.

Why am I thankful for these things you may ask?

I am thankful for these things because I desire to follow in the example of the great Apostle Paul who revealed a timeless truth in his second letter to the church at Corinth:

I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ my rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9b

Simply Stated: When I delight in my natural weakness, I invite God’s supernatural power.

I call this radical thanks. And Paul had it.

Not because he was naive.
Not because he was delusional.
Not because he was unaware of his problems.
But because he was hungry for the power of Christ.

I am hungry for God’s power.
I yearn for the supernatural to take place.
I desire to see God work mightily in every broken area of my life.

And if radical thanks is the requirement, then radical thanks will be my response.

#67 - REST

I need it.

To renew my mind.
To reduce my stress.
To recharge my strength.
To rediscover my passions.
To reevaluate my priorities.
To remember my reasons why.
To reconsider my commitments.
To reflect upon my many blessings.

Rest.

I need it. You need it. We need it.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let’s just be wise enough to partake in it.

#66 - THE POWER OF INSPIRATION

Inspiration is powerful.

Inspiration causes change.
Inspiration provokes thought.
Inspiration develops character.

From it art has been produced.
From it nations have been built.
From it books have been written.
From it obstacles have been overcome.
From it inventions have been developed.
From it the seemingly impossible has been achieved.

Before the Eiffel Tower…there was inspiration.
Before the Golden Gate Bridge…there was inspiration.
Before the Hubble Space Telescope…there was inspiration.

What does this have to do with you?

There is no telling where you will go…when you are inspired.
There is no telling who you can become…when you are inspired.
There is no telling what you can accomplish…when you are inspired.

The only question is, “From where does your inspiration come?”

#65 - LEADERSHIP IS DIFFICULT

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Because casting vision is difficult.
Because achieving goals is difficult.
Because desiring change is difficult.
Because developing teams is difficult.
Because organizing people is difficult.
Because duplicating yourself is difficult.
Because going against the status quo is difficult.
Because believing before anyone else does is difficult.

Leadership is difficult.

This is the reality.

But then again, what valuable pursuit has ever been easy?

#64 - YOUR REASONS WHY

Your reasons why motivate you to start.
Your reasons why clarify your intentions.
Your reasons why stimulate your creativity.
Your reasons why determine your priorities.
Your reasons why carry you through adversity.
Your reasons why push you to overcome obstacles.
Your reasons why drive you to complete what you began.

But…

Your reasons why could be rooted in selfishness or service.

Are you clear on your reasons why?

#62 - IN REGARDS TO DESIRE

So many desires…

To be a loving, selfless husband.
To be a caring, sacrificial father.
To be a clear,  effective communicator.
To be a committed follower of Jesus Christ.
To be a leader whose life is worthy of being followed.

To have integrity.
To have compassion.
To have a faith that can move mountains.
To have an impact on the world that brings glory to God.

And my ultimate desire: To accomplish every purpose for which I was created.

So many desires.

Thankfully, there is a timeless truth written by King David that gives me insight into the key to seeing my desires come to fruition:

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

Simply Stated: Desire Jesus first. Receive other desires next.

I will be fulfilled in Christ.
His love. His presence. His grace.

I will be fulfilled in the pleasure of serving the King!
I will be fulfilled in the satisfaction that I will spend eternity with Him!
I will be fulfilled in the joy of having an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe!

And then…

I will anticipate that all other desires will soon follow.

#61 - IN REGARDS TO SMALL BEGINNINGS

They are good.

They are simple.
They are beautiful.
They are necessary.

They teach me.
They prepare me.
They motivate me.

Small beginnings should be
Enjoyed. Appreciated. Embraced.

But as I’m reminded in this timeless truth, my small beginnings should never be despised:

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin… Zechariah 4:10

Simply stated: Though my beginnings may not be big, they are good.

The small beginnings at my job…they are good.
The small beginnings of my dreams…they are good.
The small beginnings in my ministry…they are good.
The small beginnings in my marriage…they are good.
The small beginnings of my schooling…they are good.
The small beginnings with my business…they are good.

They are good because every grand accomplishment that I have ever admired,
had a small beginning.

So why should I think that my story should start out any other way?

#60 - IN REGARDS TO COMPLETION

Where is it all headed?

So many experiences.

The steps that I’m taking.
The plans that I’m making.
The books that I’m reading.
The people that I’m meeting.
The truths that I’m believing.
The skills that I’m developing.
The burdens that I’m carrying.
The dreams that I’m dreaming.

Where is this all going to lead?

Though many ideas are turning into reality.
Though exciting developments are taking place.
Though new opportunities are being presented.

What will the completed work look like?

These are questions I have not the answer to, but there is a timeless truth from God’s Word that reminds me that, one day, the “work” will be completed:

I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished… 
– Philippians 1:6

Simply Stated: What God starts, God finishes.

Though I do not know what “it” will look like when all is said and done, I can rest on the truth that God will indeed see “it” to completion. That’s comforting.

God will complete it. God will complete it. God will complete it…

#59 - FOCUS IS REQUIRED

Concentrate all your thoughts on the work at hand.
The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.
Alexander Graham Bell

You have a project at hand
that must be completed.
A work of art to produce
that’s desperately needed.

But before it can be
A gift worthy to share
Absolute focus is required
You must be aware.

For a resistance exists
And it’ll try to attack.
Your finished work it will steal
If you don’t fight back.

So remove all distractions
And re-commit on this day
That until the job’s finished
From the task you won’t stray.

#58 - FINISH WELL

Regardless of fatigue – Finish Well.
In spite of opposition – Finish Well.
Though tempted to quit – Finish Well.
Complete what you started – Finish Well.
You are on the home stretch – Finish Well.
Do what you said you would do – Finish Well.
Be a much needed example for others to see – Finish Well.
Remind yourself of all the reasons why you began – Finish Well.
Another level of fulfillment and your next assignment awaits you – Finish Well.

#57 - START ANEW

Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new dawning.
Ecclesiastes 11:7

Regardless of whether it seems as if
Your successes have been few,
Did you know today’s the day
That you can start anew?

I know there are some unmet goals
You’ve yet to see them through
But one decision can change that all
Resolve to start anew.

Decide that this will be the day
The day that you breakthrough.
A simple choice is all it takes.
The choice to start anew.

#56 - THE GOODNESS OF MY GOD

…the goodness of God endureth continually.
Psalms 52:1b

There’s so much chaos, so much controversy
So much I don’t understand.
It’s often times so hard to believe
That God has my life in His hand.

All the pain and all the hurt
It all can get so hard.
Most times I feel like giving up,
I’m tired of being scarred.

I’m told that this is called the “process”
And development must take place,
But why do I feel down deep inside,
Like my life is a disgrace?

STOP.

The enemy is hard at work,
I really have to know
He aims to steal, kill and destroy
Defeat me blow by blow.

He’ll do his best to tell me lies
To get my life off track.
But I choose to lean on a simple truth
So my soul will feel no lack…

GOD IS GOOD!

I have to know in the depths of my heart,
When things don’t seem as they should,
That my God above is full of love
And He is ultimately good.

He’ll never leave me, nor forsake me.
He’ll always be around.
It’s His perfect goodness I must hold onto
Especially when I’m down.

So when it’s all too much to bear,
And I’ve been “stricken by the rod”
My hope and strength will forever be drawn from…
The Goodness of My God!

#55 - SOMEONE NEEDS YOUR STORY

We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us…
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others
permission to do the same.
Marianne Williamson

Your story is a necessity.
You really have to know
That many are behind you
And through your journey they will grow.

They will ultimately achieve
What they were put on earth to do.
And one day you will find out
Their inspiration will be you!

Your triumph and your struggle
Each chapter is so key.
It is what you will fight through
That will set the captives free.

They will be free to pursue hopes.
They will be free pursue dreams.
Because of your dedication
Many others will have the means.

The means to press on.
You’ve got to believe
From your perseverance
Those watching will receive.

The strength that they need.
To go on another day.
It’s because you were faithful.
That they will find their way.

So I admonish you now
To never stop pursuing your glory.
The stakes are just too high and
Someone needs your story.

#54 - IN REGARDS TO GOD'S LOVE

It’s amazing.

The God of all creation loves me.
The Creator of the universe loves me.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords loves me.

In spite of my sin.
In spite of my lack of faith.
In spite of my disobedience.

Jesus loves me.

Unconditional. Unending. Unbelievable. This is God’s love for me.

When I’m alone – Jesus loves me.
When I’m afraid – Jesus loves me.
When I’m abandoned – Jesus loves me.

And as Paul reminds me in this timeless truth found in his letter to the Romans, nothingcan separate me from His amazing love:

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:37-39

Simply Stated: God’s love for me is permanent.

When everything in my life is so uncertain, that’s an encouraging truth. Permanent love from the God of the universe. Amazing.

By the way, in case you were unaware, this same God that loves me…loves you too.