Sunday, August 14, 2005
What Type Of Leader Are You Now & What Type Of Leader Will You Be Tomorrow Depends On Where You Stand.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Having A Psalms 23 Mentality - A Table Of Victory In Unexpected Places
There are many times in our lives that we find ourselves in trouble times. We actively seek out an answer to the situations we find ourselves in. We want that answer(s) to be big, bold, and clearly presented before our eyes on our terms. But the answers that Jesus presents are sometimes given in a whisper, subtly, and unexpectedly by a stranger who is there one moment and gone the next. We must keep ourselves open and listen for the whispers as well as the bold thunder. There will be those persons or situations which come into your life for a brief moment in time - subtly, unexpectedly - as a whisper.
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God Bless,
Coach Stan
http://www.realcoach.org/.
THE SECRET TO OVERCOMING THE URGE TO "PUT THINGS OFF"
THE SECRET THAT IS NOT A SECRET AT ALL
The purpose of this article is to discuss habits and what can happen, over a period of time, when we put things off or when we don’t finish the tasks we have started. At the end of this article, you shall discover a potentially life changing secret, that is not a secret at all.
When we continuously put things off or don’t finish a task, it can become a bad habit. Habits can be either good or bad. When things become a habit, we do them without even thinking about them. This is great – when the repetitive actions are positive. However it can be bad – when the repetitive actions are negative. It matters not the occupation of a person or if they’re a leader. Each person should seek to create repetitive actions which are positive and create good habits. Additionally, each of us should seek to stay away from repetitive actions that are negative and create bad habits.
Now each of us have procrastinated or put things off for various reasons. And to be honest, sometimes it is necessary to set things aside for valid reasons – like family emergencies. True emergency situations do not need to be justified. However, it is when we become like the person in Proverbs 6:9-11 that it is not alright. This Proverb talks about the foolishness of indolence. Indolence means being lethargic and not showing any interest or making any effort. Proverbs 6:9-11 says - “6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, 8 provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. 9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— 11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man.”
The ant is self-motivated. It has developed good habits that cause it to do what is necessary to survive and thrive. Those who always put things off will drift away from what’s necessary in order to feed their bad habits. They become like the sluggard. A little sleep here, a little slumber there, and a little folding of hands to sleep and poverty can come upon you like a prowler. This “lack of action” can treat you with the cruelty of an armed robber if you do not do what is necessary to create positive habits. In turn, positive habits will produce and develop physical, mental, and spiritual growth within you.
Another problem is that many of us have trouble following through with a task. We start projects or tasks with great energy, but never follow through on them. Again, there are valid reasons not to finishing a project or task. Emergencies and strange situations do pop up from time to time. However, each of us should endeavor to finish what we start. Proverbs 12:27 says, “ 27 the lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” What a waste of both resources and time. This guy went through all the trouble of hunting down his game, but will not follow through with the task of feeding himself. He is so close to the ultimate goal he set out upon, but in the end – he missed the mark. This is like practicing for a 100 yard dash and when the race starts – the runner quits at the 50 or 60 yards mark. No injury or mishap – not at all. It’s just that the runner has never developed the positive habit of completing a race. The hunter has never developed the positive habit of finishing the job and feeding himself.
The diligent – those who are persistent and hard working – are a different story. The diligent do not put off until tomorrow – what can be done today. The diligent, also, finish what they start. The diligent value their resources. The diligent not only value their time, but the time of others.
So, what are you putting off? Where are the areas in your life that you are not following through on? Once you have answered these questions; then you will know what you have to work on. These are areas where you need to be diligent. But remember, you did not develop bad habits over night, but over time. Nor are you likely to change your bad habits on your own. In order for you to develop the positive habits that will promote your physical, mental, and spiritual growth; you will need to seek out a mentor to walk this road of change with you. Whether you find an elder or leader in the church or a big brother or sister figure; find someone to hold you accountable. And here is the big secret that is no secret at all: Admit your bad habits, set goals to change them, create action steps (something you can do daily), and find an accountability partner/mentor. It’s not a secret at all, that you can be the best you that you can be – if you trade out your bad habits for good ones.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER, E-ZINE WEB SITE OR SHARE WITH A FRIEND? You can, as long as you include the following with it: Stan Lewis is a Christian Leadership & Life Coach. If you liked this article, you should really check out his FREE audio course "Seven Basic Steps To Becoming a Servant Leader" and other FREEBIES at http://www.realleadership4coachinglife.com/ Questions/Need assistance call 214-629-7217.
For more information on Coach Stan go to www.realcoach.org.
Christian Ethics In Today's Work Place
Sundered Knight:
Although the world,
Denies the weak aid and justice,
Scorns charity,
Diminishes morality
And Godly virtues daily.
Holding no places for honor
Nor honesty
And exiling all
Who hold these traits dear,
Still,
It is better to be a sundered knight
Than no knight at all
By S. Bryant Lewis
If one wishes to be a Knightly leader in the world today, it is very difficult to do so. Why? The world makes it so hard to do what is right - what is honorable - what is Christ-like. The negative peers in our lives tell us things like, "... nice guys finish last and that no good deed goes unpunished." The poem Sundered Knight speaks of those who strive to do what is right in a world that sometimes has little tolerance for ethics.
So what exactly is a Knight? He or she is a servant leader and a fervent supporter or defender of the weak. They also defend and support Godly virtues like morality, honor and honesty. A Sundered Knight is someone who is sometimes ridiculed or put down for doing what is ethical - for doing what is right. He or she is sometimes even treated with contempt in society for their moral or ethical beliefs. Have you ever felt like a sundered Knight?
The world we live in did not become so harden overnight. This has been happening for a long time. In the time of Zephaniah [an Old Testament prophet], there was a serious lack of morals and ethics. Just like a cancer, this lack of morality and ethics ate away at every part of society in Zephaniah’s time. Zephaniah's people, just like those of today, were arrogant, treacherous, profane, and did violence to the law. [Zep 3:1-7]
As a servant leader – a Knight, never place trust in peers who use negative peer pressure. More times than not, these negative peers will not come through for you, so don't expect them to. This way you will not be disappointed. Look to Jesus for your example. The Lord promises over and over that he will lift us up. Hold him to his promises and let the Lord be the one you wish to lift you up.
So when you feel the negative peer pressure, at work or in public places, is getting to you, seek the Lord to lift you up. The Lord is always true to his promises. Seek out the encouragement that God gives in his word - [Pv. 24:16, 19-20] 16... A righteous [man] may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity. 19 Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; 20 for there will be no prospect for the evil [man;] the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
These verses were true in the time of King Solomon and are so very true, even today. Those negative peers taking short cuts to get out of something or to get ahead. Such negative peers are not mentors to be looked up to or be jealous over. Never forget, that negative peer pressure is alive and well in the work place and society. There really is no lasting prospect for those who are seeking short cuts to get out of work or to get ahead at work or in today’s society.
God knows your situation. And because God does know your situation, it is with an understanding and tender heart that he says to his Knights: [Is 51:7] " Listen to me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart [is] my law: Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults.
Although the world "...diminishes morality...” in Zephaniah's time, God was there for him. [Zep 3:5] The LORD [is] righteous in [our] her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, but the unjust knows no shame.
Always be faithful, always be encouraged, always be a servant leader, and always be a Knight, who defends the weak and holds all Godly virtues dear.
By Coach Stan
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER, E-ZINE WEB SITE OR TO SEND TO A FRIEND? You can, as long as you include this insert with it: Stan Lewis is a Christian Leadership & Life Coach. If you liked this article, you should really check out his FREE audio course "Seven Basic Steps To Becoming a Servant Leader" and other FREEBIES http://www.realleadership4coachinglife.com/ Questions/Need assistance call 214-629-7217.
For more information on Coach Stan go to http://www.realcoach.org/.