I like what I read about leadership in the business community this morning. Business is really all about people. Our ability to deliver amazing customer service is all about people and making them feel motivated, empowered and trusted. They need to feel that they know what is at stake and how they make a difference. This requires me to be honest with myself about what really matters to me and motivates me. I need to be sure that what I am doing is aligned with what I am really all about. Although that is business lingo, it has deep spiritual overtones. The closer I get to God in His Word and in prayer, the more I figure out what I am really all about. I also find out that I am important to God. I have been entrusted with valuable things.
I read all six chapters of the book of 1 Timothy this morning. I really was blessed and encouraged ( and challenged ) by the end of Paul’s letter:
1 Timothy 6:20-21
“ O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge "-- 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you. “
Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motivation. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
The meeting greeting
I was reading this morning out of the book of Romans. I was encouraged by words of the Apostle Paul in his exhortation to be busy for the Kingdom.
Romans 12:9-11 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
So much of what we do has an ulterior motive. I really do not want people to wonder if I really love them. I need to find ways to take delight in honoring them. After all, it is no accident that we have crossed paths today. Not to over spiritualize it, but I am a believer in the “divine appointment” concept at some level for everyone I meet. Something positive can be left behind or picked up at every meeting. Even a nod of the head or a friendly wave can impact a person’s life. Where ever possible, use the other person’s name when you meet them. Using their name in you greeting to them takes the meeting to a whole new level. If you say “Hi” to me and just walk by, it is just a passing moment. If you say “Hi Al” to me, you have my attention and the greeting was much more significant. Remember:
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
Winston Churchill
Romans 12:9-11 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
So much of what we do has an ulterior motive. I really do not want people to wonder if I really love them. I need to find ways to take delight in honoring them. After all, it is no accident that we have crossed paths today. Not to over spiritualize it, but I am a believer in the “divine appointment” concept at some level for everyone I meet. Something positive can be left behind or picked up at every meeting. Even a nod of the head or a friendly wave can impact a person’s life. Where ever possible, use the other person’s name when you meet them. Using their name in you greeting to them takes the meeting to a whole new level. If you say “Hi” to me and just walk by, it is just a passing moment. If you say “Hi Al” to me, you have my attention and the greeting was much more significant. Remember:
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
Winston Churchill
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Maintaining vs. Moving up
I read a statement this morning that bears repeating:
“Leadership is not a sprint, it is a relay race.”
So much of what we fill our day with is done in a hurry. About a month ago, I wrote a blog about living in the fast lane without being hurried. It is important to remember the principle of making deposits and investing in life so that there is something there to withdraw when the need arises. It is important to remember to both inhale and exhale while breathing because that is how life is sustained. Both investing and breathing are examples of things that are long-haul habits that pay valuable dividends. Much of our leadership role is to prepare the next leader to handle the baton well. In the sport of track relay races are won and lost by the efficiency of the baton-passing technique. A dropped baton costs time and energy to pick up and start again. Good leaders invest much of their time in training someone to take their place. When someone is ready to take my leadership role, I can move to the next level of the race. The following quote from Dr. Henry Cloud makes sense:
“The number one reason for lack of growth in people’s lives, I have observed, is the absence of joining forces outside themselves who push them to grow.”
When we begin to feel that we can push ourselves to grow, we become inefficient and at best just maintain status quo. I need the outside push. I need a motivating force bigger than me to fuel my move. One of the keys is to be able to pass the present baton and be free to take the new course. The best motivating force I know is the power of the Holy Spirit who takes us to a course “Exceeding, abundantly above all we can ask or think.”
“Leadership is not a sprint, it is a relay race.”
So much of what we fill our day with is done in a hurry. About a month ago, I wrote a blog about living in the fast lane without being hurried. It is important to remember the principle of making deposits and investing in life so that there is something there to withdraw when the need arises. It is important to remember to both inhale and exhale while breathing because that is how life is sustained. Both investing and breathing are examples of things that are long-haul habits that pay valuable dividends. Much of our leadership role is to prepare the next leader to handle the baton well. In the sport of track relay races are won and lost by the efficiency of the baton-passing technique. A dropped baton costs time and energy to pick up and start again. Good leaders invest much of their time in training someone to take their place. When someone is ready to take my leadership role, I can move to the next level of the race. The following quote from Dr. Henry Cloud makes sense:
“The number one reason for lack of growth in people’s lives, I have observed, is the absence of joining forces outside themselves who push them to grow.”
When we begin to feel that we can push ourselves to grow, we become inefficient and at best just maintain status quo. I need the outside push. I need a motivating force bigger than me to fuel my move. One of the keys is to be able to pass the present baton and be free to take the new course. The best motivating force I know is the power of the Holy Spirit who takes us to a course “Exceeding, abundantly above all we can ask or think.”
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A New Thing
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43:18-19
The New Testament also reminds us that new wine belongs in new wineskins. We are not designed to get stuck in a rut. We were created with the curiosity and inquiring minds that launch us to new territory simply because it is there. We touch each new acquaintance in novel and dynamic ways. We have learned that what worked yesterday does not necessarily work today and may be totally ineffective tomorrow. It seems to me that is why God tells us He is doing a “New Thing”. New ideas and strategies are stretching our collective imaginations today and enlarging our view of what is going on around us.
As a pastor, I am interested in this concept because “doing Church” with excellence means taking new ground for the Kingdom. It means innovation and creative thinking need to be allowed into the mix.
Today when someone asks what we are doing, instead of saying “nothing”, let’s say “New thing”.
Have an awesome day!!!!!
Isaiah 43:18-19
The New Testament also reminds us that new wine belongs in new wineskins. We are not designed to get stuck in a rut. We were created with the curiosity and inquiring minds that launch us to new territory simply because it is there. We touch each new acquaintance in novel and dynamic ways. We have learned that what worked yesterday does not necessarily work today and may be totally ineffective tomorrow. It seems to me that is why God tells us He is doing a “New Thing”. New ideas and strategies are stretching our collective imaginations today and enlarging our view of what is going on around us.
As a pastor, I am interested in this concept because “doing Church” with excellence means taking new ground for the Kingdom. It means innovation and creative thinking need to be allowed into the mix.
Today when someone asks what we are doing, instead of saying “nothing”, let’s say “New thing”.
Have an awesome day!!!!!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Riding on the current
It was all eyes of the nation on our state of Iowa last night as the neighborhood meetings (caucuses) took place. I have participated in these before but never at the intensity level of this year. It was a wonderful reminder of the freedoms we have living in this nation. It will be nice to have the telemarketing calls from the polling firms stop, at least until the election later this year. These are times that we float on active currents.
A year ago I wrote a blog about the effect of the waves that happen on the sea of life.
Much of our understanding in life can be looked at as the pattern that the heavenly wave left on the sand when it retreated. I have often preached on the subject of water. The bible is full of illustrations of life on and around the sea. There are currents that take us where the water is headed. There are storms that toss us to and fro upon the waves. There are wonderful calm times with the sounds of creation all around us and there are times of great noise that cause us to find a place in the cabin of the ship away from the sounds. There are fish and fishermen. There is the sail that must be tended to and there is the island on which to rest. There are great ships that carry thousands and there are small boats that carry one. There are depths to be explored and high wave crests to be ridden.
There are seashells and starfish to be pondered and sand to be sifted through our toes.
Thank God today that there are lighthouses to guide us and ports to welcome us. Whatever ship you are on today, enjoy the ride, but don’t forget to look at the pattern that the heavenly wave left on the sand as the tide moved across it.
A year ago I wrote a blog about the effect of the waves that happen on the sea of life.
Much of our understanding in life can be looked at as the pattern that the heavenly wave left on the sand when it retreated. I have often preached on the subject of water. The bible is full of illustrations of life on and around the sea. There are currents that take us where the water is headed. There are storms that toss us to and fro upon the waves. There are wonderful calm times with the sounds of creation all around us and there are times of great noise that cause us to find a place in the cabin of the ship away from the sounds. There are fish and fishermen. There is the sail that must be tended to and there is the island on which to rest. There are great ships that carry thousands and there are small boats that carry one. There are depths to be explored and high wave crests to be ridden.
There are seashells and starfish to be pondered and sand to be sifted through our toes.
Thank God today that there are lighthouses to guide us and ports to welcome us. Whatever ship you are on today, enjoy the ride, but don’t forget to look at the pattern that the heavenly wave left on the sand as the tide moved across it.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Winter Endurance
Sorry I didn't post a blog Friday as we were on the road ( the icy road) to a funeral in Missouri. Turns out we got to drive on lots of icy roads this weekend. A couple hundred miles of that stuff is plenty for me and I am now ready for spring even though winter hasn't even officially started yet. We had a fair turnout at church yesterday despite the ice and always a fovrite was the children's Christmas program last night. There is a sparkle in their eyes that really demonstrates what Jesus meant when He said of children, "of such is the kingdom of God"
I did get to preach about the "Second Wind" yesterday and thought I would share a couple of the thoughts from the sermon this morning. The goal is to finish strong. The race can get difficult physically and otherwise. The following principles work in both a physical sense and spiritual sense. See if you can pull out the spiritual application.
Break Through Principles
Pushing through the individual workout pain barrier
When it comes to individual workouts we quite often encounter pain barriers that make us want to stop and go home. They are very hard to deal with. The mostly occur during cardio exercises like running, bike riding, etc. Here are some ways to push through them:
1. Breathe
I wrote a bit about this in my blog last Thursday. Thanks, Bob , for posting a great comment regarding the importance of getting to the second wind as soon as we can.
Look at your breathing. How often are you breathing? Is it through your mouth or nose? Are you breathing in on the left step or the right step?
Daniel 10:7-19
7 I, Daniel, am the only one who saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide.
8 So I was left there all alone to watch this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.
9 When I heard him speak, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.
10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees.
11 And the man said to me, "O Daniel, greatly loved of God, listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling with fear.
12 Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.
13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.
14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come."
15 While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word.
16 Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, "I am terrified by the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak.
17 How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe."
18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning.
19 "Don't be afraid," he said, "for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart and be strong!"As he spoke these words, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, "Now you may speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me."
2. Visualize
You need to create some mental scenario so that you get through the pain. For example, I imagine you need to get to the top to avoid a massive water tsunami that is about to hit the bottom of the hill. I know it sounds childish but it really does work and motivate you to forget about the pain.
3. Concentrate
If you are firmly concentrating on your goal you will find that nothing else matters. For example, if you have decided that you will run flat out for 20 minutes or 20 miles, then it shouldn’t matter how much your lungs hurt - you should just keep going.
Heb. 11:40
For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race
I did get to preach about the "Second Wind" yesterday and thought I would share a couple of the thoughts from the sermon this morning. The goal is to finish strong. The race can get difficult physically and otherwise. The following principles work in both a physical sense and spiritual sense. See if you can pull out the spiritual application.
Break Through Principles
Pushing through the individual workout pain barrier
When it comes to individual workouts we quite often encounter pain barriers that make us want to stop and go home. They are very hard to deal with. The mostly occur during cardio exercises like running, bike riding, etc. Here are some ways to push through them:
1. Breathe
I wrote a bit about this in my blog last Thursday. Thanks, Bob , for posting a great comment regarding the importance of getting to the second wind as soon as we can.
Look at your breathing. How often are you breathing? Is it through your mouth or nose? Are you breathing in on the left step or the right step?
Daniel 10:7-19
7 I, Daniel, am the only one who saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide.
8 So I was left there all alone to watch this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.
9 When I heard him speak, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.
10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees.
11 And the man said to me, "O Daniel, greatly loved of God, listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you." When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling with fear.
12 Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.
13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.
14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come."
15 While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word.
16 Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, "I am terrified by the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak.
17 How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe."
18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning.
19 "Don't be afraid," he said, "for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart and be strong!"As he spoke these words, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, "Now you may speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me."
2. Visualize
You need to create some mental scenario so that you get through the pain. For example, I imagine you need to get to the top to avoid a massive water tsunami that is about to hit the bottom of the hill. I know it sounds childish but it really does work and motivate you to forget about the pain.
3. Concentrate
If you are firmly concentrating on your goal you will find that nothing else matters. For example, if you have decided that you will run flat out for 20 minutes or 20 miles, then it shouldn’t matter how much your lungs hurt - you should just keep going.
Heb. 11:40
For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Second Wind
I am preparing a sermon on the subject of “Second Wind”. It is part of a series about endurance. I remember the first time I experienced a second wind phenomenon during a run several years ago. It was really amazing as I went from struggling to realizing that I was breathing normally while still running. It is one of those experiences that is only achieved by those willing to break through that barrier. The “easy” road does not go there. Our society seems to be bent on finding easy ways to success. The topics of discussion here include cutting corners, doing the right thing, work ethics, problem resolution, and working through our problems. There are things that must be done today even though there are obstacles in the way. The effort to break through is well worth it.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Get Busy
Each day I have to decide who I am working for. I have to decide how to get started and what I am trying to accomplish. The Bible says to do whatever we do with all of our heart, as working for the Lord not for men. I start today with a prayer for motivation. Lord, Help me to be motivated to get started and help my habits be such that I keep going. William Penn said: “He that does good for God’s sake seeks neither praise nor reward; he is sure of both in the end.” Remember that people see our deeds but God sees our motives. ( Proverbs 21:2 ) It is a good thing to stop once in awhile and ask ourselves why we are doing whatever it is that we are doing. I find many times that I have no good answer for that and stop what I am doing and find something that does have purpose. My ego wants to justify always but at times like that my ego is not my friend. Imagine that, your own ego working against you. It has been said that at no time is self-control more difficult than in times of success. When I am doing well, I am needing to be most watchful that I keep on the track and not slip into a mode of looking for praise. The admonition in God’s word is to humbly seek Him.
Since motive is what God is really interested in, why I make a decision is really more important than the actual decision. There is, however, the danger of just having good intentions, getting credit for them from others, and not following through with the gusto that we started with. That thought causes me to look back and see what I have been motivated to do but never did. I need to tie that loose end either by doing it or at least explaining (or apologizing) to those affected, that it probably won’t happen. There is a verse in Hebrews Chapter 11 that tells us to finish the race because there are those who can’t finish if we don’t.
“For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race.”
Hebrews 11:40
Whoa!!! I had better get busy.
Since motive is what God is really interested in, why I make a decision is really more important than the actual decision. There is, however, the danger of just having good intentions, getting credit for them from others, and not following through with the gusto that we started with. That thought causes me to look back and see what I have been motivated to do but never did. I need to tie that loose end either by doing it or at least explaining (or apologizing) to those affected, that it probably won’t happen. There is a verse in Hebrews Chapter 11 that tells us to finish the race because there are those who can’t finish if we don’t.
“For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race.”
Hebrews 11:40
Whoa!!! I had better get busy.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Analysis Paralysis
Every so often, I come to the point where I take a look at the loose ends that I have left lying around while I analyze how to deal with them. I have never been good at throwing things away. My usual excuse is that if I do, I will need it tomorrow wish I had kept it. The result is that I have clutter in my life. That clutter can come in the form of papers and “Things”, and it can come in the form of unfinished thoughts or spurious data with no good file to fit into.
The alarm went off this morning and I feel refreshed again for another day of thinking. I like a quote I read from Andrew Jackson:
“Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.”
Some people act before thinking, some think before acting and some think and never act.
I have heard that called “paralysis by analysis.” It is a dysfunctional element of organizational behavior. Analysis paralysis involves the over-analysis of a specific issue to the point where the issue can no longer be recognized, and the subject of the conversation is lost. Counting the cost of a decision is a sound idea. Actually making the decision after counting the cost is gratifying. I am looking in my life for areas that are left open because I have failed to decide. It’s much like leaving computer programs open while working on others. They can tend to slow down the whole computer. I have always liked efficiency and I think today would be a good time to actually make at least one decision, however small, and be set free from the looming problem. As I write this, I do not know which decision I will choose to finish, I’m just going to pick one. I hope I don’t analyze myself out of this decision.
The alarm went off this morning and I feel refreshed again for another day of thinking. I like a quote I read from Andrew Jackson:
“Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.”
Some people act before thinking, some think before acting and some think and never act.
I have heard that called “paralysis by analysis.” It is a dysfunctional element of organizational behavior. Analysis paralysis involves the over-analysis of a specific issue to the point where the issue can no longer be recognized, and the subject of the conversation is lost. Counting the cost of a decision is a sound idea. Actually making the decision after counting the cost is gratifying. I am looking in my life for areas that are left open because I have failed to decide. It’s much like leaving computer programs open while working on others. They can tend to slow down the whole computer. I have always liked efficiency and I think today would be a good time to actually make at least one decision, however small, and be set free from the looming problem. As I write this, I do not know which decision I will choose to finish, I’m just going to pick one. I hope I don’t analyze myself out of this decision.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Two Hundred Twelve
My friend Glenn Reynolds wrote in a current newsletter that small changes can make huge differences. At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees water boils. Boiling water produces steam. Steam can power a locomotive. One degree makes the difference.
I remember as a child watching the water to see when it would boil. There is an old saying that says, “A watched pot never boils”. It sure seemed to be true as I would wait and watch. I determined to stay and watch for s long as it took to prove that saying wrong. Eventually the water did boil as it crossed the threshold from 211 to 212 degrees. ( I must have taken my eyes off of it for a second). I also remember from science class that once it reaches 212 degrees it doesn’t go to 213, it becomes steam and becomes very powerful. The kind of power that moves trains and ships, or powers turbans to make electricity. A small part of that steam is used to blow the whistle. It is good to remember that the steam that blows the whistle cannot also move the train. There are lots of people making noise that are not a motivating force. The real purpose of the noise from the train whistle is to announce that it is coming and is a rolling force that must be dealt with.
In a spiritual sense, the “ Living Water” of the Word of God, gets heated by the “Fire of the Holy Spirit” ,creating the steam that powers the Church (which is us) to action. What a shame it would be today if we only let our spiritual temperature get to 211 and thus stood still instead of moving to 212 and becoming powerful.
Go ahead! Get in the fire. Let the wheels roll today, and blow your whistle. Signal the world that you are on the move.
I remember as a child watching the water to see when it would boil. There is an old saying that says, “A watched pot never boils”. It sure seemed to be true as I would wait and watch. I determined to stay and watch for s long as it took to prove that saying wrong. Eventually the water did boil as it crossed the threshold from 211 to 212 degrees. ( I must have taken my eyes off of it for a second). I also remember from science class that once it reaches 212 degrees it doesn’t go to 213, it becomes steam and becomes very powerful. The kind of power that moves trains and ships, or powers turbans to make electricity. A small part of that steam is used to blow the whistle. It is good to remember that the steam that blows the whistle cannot also move the train. There are lots of people making noise that are not a motivating force. The real purpose of the noise from the train whistle is to announce that it is coming and is a rolling force that must be dealt with.
In a spiritual sense, the “ Living Water” of the Word of God, gets heated by the “Fire of the Holy Spirit” ,creating the steam that powers the Church (which is us) to action. What a shame it would be today if we only let our spiritual temperature get to 211 and thus stood still instead of moving to 212 and becoming powerful.
Go ahead! Get in the fire. Let the wheels roll today, and blow your whistle. Signal the world that you are on the move.
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