Do you think if you could become great like the apostle Paul, you’d have it made? Think again. Paul was a loving, godly man who devoted his life connecting everyone with Jesus. Yet, when Paul appeared in court, none of his friends came to support him. 2 Timothy 4 says, “Demas has deserted me… Alexander the coppersmith did me much ...
Empowering others is a great leader’s strength. Whether as an individual or part of a team, people who feel empowered can achieve amazing successes. The greatest example of empowerment is found in John 21. Jesus had been crucified and resurrected. Jesus seeks out His disciples and finds them fishing. Jesus returns and reminds Peter of the lesson he learned over ...
When I was a child, encouragement and affirmation were qualities I rarely received nor witnessed. Therefore, it’s harder for me to offer those gifts to others. Fortunately, my wife, Kathy, is the best I’ve seen at encouraging and affirming others. Kathy will stop a stranger to give them a compliment. This often leads to Kathy sharing with them that “God ...
Years ago, my office in a bank lobby had a large glass window to the outside. One “Good Friday” had been a lovely sunny day, until early afternoon. In just moments a total darkness settled over the city. My office filled with people as they came to marvel at the sudden darkness. A co-worker proclaimed, “This is like the original ...
How many of us started a new job only to encounter paperwork, a bare desk and a lonely lunch? Stunned, we contemplate, “Did I make the right decision?” A recent Harvard Business Review article, “How to Get an Employee Up to Speed?” suggests this check list: A clean and “stocked” workstation A list of access codes Welcome emails An overview ...
Did you know that until 1752 our forefathers celebrated New Year’s Day on March 25th? Our culture tries to undermine Christianity, but today is an example of the far-reaching impact Christians have had, even on our calendar. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII decided to standardize the calendar by creating the Gregorian calendar. He began by declaring January 1st as New ...
Dr. Evelyn Hill, a Kansas City, Kansas, school district board member, shared at a “Caring for Kids” banquet that most of her students are on public assistance. Dr. Hill has discovered that these students need what she calls IHOP; Individualized Hope from Other People. She encouraged the audience to share words of hope and encouragement with the children in their ...
As a teenager, one of the jobs I despised most while working on my uncle’s farm was cutting thistles. It was hard work that seemed unnecessary. Then I learned if you didn’t eliminate the entire weed’s root it would just grow back, putting the sheep and cattle at risk of dying if they ate too much of this toxic weed. ...
In a President Harry Truman biography, I remember reading that a reporter once asked President Truman, “What do you think about your father never amounting to very much?” Truman’s retort was classic, “I don’t know that he did so bad, after all, he raised the President of the United States.” Some people don’t fully value the unpaid work God may ...
God’s work in our life is often an encouragement to others, if we remember to share our story. A friend reminded me of that as he recounted God’s provision for his business. In a company tied directly to the real estate industry, my friend’s situation seemed hopeless. With only $19 in his account, and payroll for his eight employees coming ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
