Saturday, November 6, 2010
Hiring Practices
"I saw the virtue of integrating those same biblical principles into my employment practices. In a hiring interview I would emphasize how important a person's ethics were. I began to hire based on a person's values and trusted that the person would then be competent to do the job as their resume stated." ..... Larry Burkett in his book; Business by the Book
Friday, October 15, 2010
Are You Happy?
"In Matthew 16:26, the Bible says, "What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" The happiest people in the world today are those who are living in harmony with their innermost convictions and values." Brian Tracy in his book, GOALS!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Become the Legacy Leader God Created You To Be
John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win with People:
20. Tell A Good Story - Paul (Acts 26:1-29)
In these verses Paul tells his story to King Agrippa because Paul has been jailed without charges. In the speech Paul makes he recounts where he came from as a Pharisee himself, his conversion and post-conversion life. Paul told his story and the story of Christ without fear. King Agrippa was so impressed with Paul's speech/story that he said in verse 28; "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, it is important for me to model Paul whenever I speak, especially to groups. I need to speak with authority and have my facts straight and to speak the truth without fear.
Mike's Action Points:
1- Before I speak, I will pray for knowledge on the topic.
2- I will pray for courage to speak the truth without fear.
3- I will pray for wisdom on how to present the speech for the most positive
effect on my audience.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
Mike's Thought for the Day:
"Life may not be fair; but it's still good. Let's appreciate our blessings."
20. Tell A Good Story - Paul (Acts 26:1-29)
In these verses Paul tells his story to King Agrippa because Paul has been jailed without charges. In the speech Paul makes he recounts where he came from as a Pharisee himself, his conversion and post-conversion life. Paul told his story and the story of Christ without fear. King Agrippa was so impressed with Paul's speech/story that he said in verse 28; "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, it is important for me to model Paul whenever I speak, especially to groups. I need to speak with authority and have my facts straight and to speak the truth without fear.
Mike's Action Points:
1- Before I speak, I will pray for knowledge on the topic.
2- I will pray for courage to speak the truth without fear.
3- I will pray for wisdom on how to present the speech for the most positive
effect on my audience.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
Mike's Thought for the Day:
"Life may not be fair; but it's still good. Let's appreciate our blessings."
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Righteousness is a Trait of Legacy Leaders
John Maxwell on Noah:
A Man of Righteousness
There's something about righteousness - the kind of morally virtuous
lifestyle powered from above - that qualifies a person to lead God's
people. Noah, the man God chose to rescue the human race from
extinction; demonstrated just this kind of righteousness.
Humankind had grown so evil that God pledged to destroy it and all
living things on earth (Gen. 6:7). But the Lord's pronouncement of
judgement didn't come without hope; God had charged righteous Noah to help save a remnant.
God didn't choose Noah randomly. He knows whom He can count on
to get things done - and it's not necessarily the one with the most skill, talent, or social standing. Rather, it's the one who daily walks with Him, the one who hears His voice and follows His lead. Noah was just such a man.
No doubt Noah had his own weaknesses and frailties. But he walked
with God, and it was that close walk that made him righteous before
the Lord (Gen. 6:9). Noah's righteousness qualified him to be used by God to help save the human race from annihilation, and in the bargain kept him and his loved ones from certain death.
Noah still stands as an example of the kind of person God wants to use. God hasn't changed, and even now He looks for righteous
leaders who can help Him change the world.
Mike's Thoughts:
The Meriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines righteous as:
1: Acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
2a: Morally right or justifiable
It is apparent to me that God seeks righteous people to be leaders. He wants leaders who walk with Him and rely on Him every day. To be a true leader, one doesn't have to be the most skilled, talented, or socially endowed; rather God seeks those who seek Him on a daily basis. God knows that we all have our weaknesses and frailties, but in spite of those shortcomings, we can still be righteous leaders by seeking Him in every decision we make. Will such leaders sometimes fall short of expectations? Of course! Even so, God seeks leaders who realize their limitations and seek Him to overcome them. God seeks leaders who desire to be used by
Him to lead others.
I can see where when one reads the first definition of righteous by Meriam-Webster where it says, "free from guilt or sin" that one could say that no man can measure up to this and therefore no man should be considered righteous. However, I believe we must take the entire first definition in context. The context is that there is an "act" taking place. While no man is perfect without guilt or sin, a righteous leader can take individual "actions" which are "in accord with divine or moral law" and the impetus behind that
individual action can be "free from guilt or sin".
Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to walk with God every day.
2- I need to seek God on the decisions I make.
3- I need to take action in accordance with divine or moral law (i.e.: the Ten Commandments).
Please see my leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
A Man of Righteousness
There's something about righteousness - the kind of morally virtuous
lifestyle powered from above - that qualifies a person to lead God's
people. Noah, the man God chose to rescue the human race from
extinction; demonstrated just this kind of righteousness.
Humankind had grown so evil that God pledged to destroy it and all
living things on earth (Gen. 6:7). But the Lord's pronouncement of
judgement didn't come without hope; God had charged righteous Noah to help save a remnant.
God didn't choose Noah randomly. He knows whom He can count on
to get things done - and it's not necessarily the one with the most skill, talent, or social standing. Rather, it's the one who daily walks with Him, the one who hears His voice and follows His lead. Noah was just such a man.
No doubt Noah had his own weaknesses and frailties. But he walked
with God, and it was that close walk that made him righteous before
the Lord (Gen. 6:9). Noah's righteousness qualified him to be used by God to help save the human race from annihilation, and in the bargain kept him and his loved ones from certain death.
Noah still stands as an example of the kind of person God wants to use. God hasn't changed, and even now He looks for righteous
leaders who can help Him change the world.
Mike's Thoughts:
The Meriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines righteous as:
1: Acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
2a: Morally right or justifiable
It is apparent to me that God seeks righteous people to be leaders. He wants leaders who walk with Him and rely on Him every day. To be a true leader, one doesn't have to be the most skilled, talented, or socially endowed; rather God seeks those who seek Him on a daily basis. God knows that we all have our weaknesses and frailties, but in spite of those shortcomings, we can still be righteous leaders by seeking Him in every decision we make. Will such leaders sometimes fall short of expectations? Of course! Even so, God seeks leaders who realize their limitations and seek Him to overcome them. God seeks leaders who desire to be used by
Him to lead others.
I can see where when one reads the first definition of righteous by Meriam-Webster where it says, "free from guilt or sin" that one could say that no man can measure up to this and therefore no man should be considered righteous. However, I believe we must take the entire first definition in context. The context is that there is an "act" taking place. While no man is perfect without guilt or sin, a righteous leader can take individual "actions" which are "in accord with divine or moral law" and the impetus behind that
individual action can be "free from guilt or sin".
Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to walk with God every day.
2- I need to seek God on the decisions I make.
3- I need to take action in accordance with divine or moral law (i.e.: the Ten Commandments).
Please see my leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Purpose of Elevation
TGIF Today God Is First by Os Hillman
Friday, December 04 2009
And the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you." (Josh 3:7-8).
Joshua had been a faithful number two man under Moses for 80 years. Can you imagine serving one man for 80 years? Now that is faithfulness! Even so, when the time came to pass the mantel to Joshua, God knew he needed to be elevated in the eyes of the people in order for Joshua to accomplish his purpose. That is the purpose of elevation - so that you and I can fulfill our purpose and our mission.
We are not called to elevate ourselves. If we elevate ourselves before our time we will short circuit God's plans for our lives. We will not have the same level of grace as we would have if it were in God's perfect timing. Moving into a job or responsibility before we are ready is a formula for failure. We may not be mature enough. We may not have the proper skill set.
Let God elevate you in His timing and you will be successful in the thing He created you to be and do.
Mike's Thoughts:
Patience is so hard to exercise in today's world. I struggle with it all the time. I'm sure that as Joshua served Moses all those years, he thought he would have done some things differently than Moses did. Yet, he served him faithfully. This is a great example to me as I have often struggled with serving leaders faithfully that I disagreed with. Joshua was rewarded for his faithful service when God elevated him to replace Moses when the time was right. Far too often, I have pushed and pushed to elevate myself only to end up frustrated in one way or another. I need to learn to serve diligently and with patience while submitting to the authority of my leader(s).
Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to pray for strength and wisdom to remain diligent in my service and loyal to my leader(s).
2- I need to provide an example of servant leadership to those around me or serving me who will be leaders in the future.
3- I need to pray for wisdom and discernment when elevating others to positions of leadership and authority.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://blogspot.legacycoach.com
TGIF Today God Is First by Os Hillman
Friday, December 04 2009
And the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you." (Josh 3:7-8).
Joshua had been a faithful number two man under Moses for 80 years. Can you imagine serving one man for 80 years? Now that is faithfulness! Even so, when the time came to pass the mantel to Joshua, God knew he needed to be elevated in the eyes of the people in order for Joshua to accomplish his purpose. That is the purpose of elevation - so that you and I can fulfill our purpose and our mission.
We are not called to elevate ourselves. If we elevate ourselves before our time we will short circuit God's plans for our lives. We will not have the same level of grace as we would have if it were in God's perfect timing. Moving into a job or responsibility before we are ready is a formula for failure. We may not be mature enough. We may not have the proper skill set.
Let God elevate you in His timing and you will be successful in the thing He created you to be and do.
Mike's Thoughts:
Patience is so hard to exercise in today's world. I struggle with it all the time. I'm sure that as Joshua served Moses all those years, he thought he would have done some things differently than Moses did. Yet, he served him faithfully. This is a great example to me as I have often struggled with serving leaders faithfully that I disagreed with. Joshua was rewarded for his faithful service when God elevated him to replace Moses when the time was right. Far too often, I have pushed and pushed to elevate myself only to end up frustrated in one way or another. I need to learn to serve diligently and with patience while submitting to the authority of my leader(s).
Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to pray for strength and wisdom to remain diligent in my service and loyal to my leader(s).
2- I need to provide an example of servant leadership to those around me or serving me who will be leaders in the future.
3- I need to pray for wisdom and discernment when elevating others to positions of leadership and authority.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://blogspot.legacycoach.com
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Leadership Skills Today For Tomorrows Legacies
Genesis 8:6-13:
6 So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. 7 Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. 8 He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. 9 But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. 10 And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. 11 Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. 12 So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore. 13 And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry.
Mike's Thoughts:
There's a valuable leadership lesson for me in these verses and one that should be part of Noah's legacy to leaders forever. The lesson is that it is a leader's responsibility to practice patience when making important decisions. The leader is to make sure they have enough accurate information before taking action. I'm sure that Noah was under pressure from his family to open the ark after being cooped up with all those smelly animals for so long. It's not explained, but to open the ark early might have proven disastrous. Noah waited until he got the correct information and then waited some more to be sure before he acted. Although it is not mentioned, I'm sure Noah prayed daily over the proper timing for his action. His patience and strength were rewarded as his family was richly blessed.
Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to be patient and not make hasty decisions when the situation does not warrant it.
2- I need to pray for guidance.
3- I need to seek the correct information needed on which to act.
4- I need to resist the urgings of others to take hasty action.
Please see my leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
6 So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. 7 Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. 8 He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. 9 But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. 10 And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. 11 Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. 12 So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore. 13 And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry.
Mike's Thoughts:
There's a valuable leadership lesson for me in these verses and one that should be part of Noah's legacy to leaders forever. The lesson is that it is a leader's responsibility to practice patience when making important decisions. The leader is to make sure they have enough accurate information before taking action. I'm sure that Noah was under pressure from his family to open the ark after being cooped up with all those smelly animals for so long. It's not explained, but to open the ark early might have proven disastrous. Noah waited until he got the correct information and then waited some more to be sure before he acted. Although it is not mentioned, I'm sure Noah prayed daily over the proper timing for his action. His patience and strength were rewarded as his family was richly blessed.
Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to be patient and not make hasty decisions when the situation does not warrant it.
2- I need to pray for guidance.
3- I need to seek the correct information needed on which to act.
4- I need to resist the urgings of others to take hasty action.
Please see my leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
Monday, November 16, 2009
Become the Legacy Leader God Created You To Be
Genesis 6:6:
"And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart."
Mike's Thoughts:
So, did God "mess up" when he made man? Is it possible that our God, who is "perfect" in every way, actually made a mistake in creating man? Absolutely not! The real problem is that God made us TOO well. He gave man free will and God was "grieved in His heart" over how man was exercising this free will. From a leadership perspective, often I beat myself up because I didn't do enough for my people or give them enough direction and I feel that I have failed them because they get off track. However, I need to remember that they have the ability to come to me and ask for help
or guidance and it is not necessarily my fault if they fail to do so. A final note that really got my attention in this verse is that God has a heart! I never think of God in such human terms that He would even have need of a heart. As the omnipotent being in the universe, I just assume that God is love and exists in another dimension that we can't comprehend and has no need for a human heart. Perhaps God is talking to us through the Bible in language we can comprehend and does not literally have a human heart.
Mike's Action Points:
1- Do my best for my people.
2- Keep my door open to them.
3- Listen to my heart, but seek God's will and guidance in my life and decisions that I make.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
"And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart."
Mike's Thoughts:
So, did God "mess up" when he made man? Is it possible that our God, who is "perfect" in every way, actually made a mistake in creating man? Absolutely not! The real problem is that God made us TOO well. He gave man free will and God was "grieved in His heart" over how man was exercising this free will. From a leadership perspective, often I beat myself up because I didn't do enough for my people or give them enough direction and I feel that I have failed them because they get off track. However, I need to remember that they have the ability to come to me and ask for help
or guidance and it is not necessarily my fault if they fail to do so. A final note that really got my attention in this verse is that God has a heart! I never think of God in such human terms that He would even have need of a heart. As the omnipotent being in the universe, I just assume that God is love and exists in another dimension that we can't comprehend and has no need for a human heart. Perhaps God is talking to us through the Bible in language we can comprehend and does not literally have a human heart.
Mike's Action Points:
1- Do my best for my people.
2- Keep my door open to them.
3- Listen to my heart, but seek God's will and guidance in my life and decisions that I make.
Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com
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