John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
2. Practice the 30-second rule (encourage them during the first
30 seconds) - Jesus and Simon Peter (John 1:42).
42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah.[i] You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
Mike's Thoughts:
I'm always amused by motivational speakers and self-help gurus who
give the impression of having some new revelation that we can all grasp
on to and become better at whatever we are seeking. In reality, if you look
at any worthwhile motivational or self-help theory or thought it has its roots
in the Bible, whether that is acknowledged or not. One that we hear often is
to compliment people on something when you meet them. Well, here is the
foundation for that right here in the Bible! Of course, most of the time when
we meet people we don't have divine revelation or knowledge of them as
Jesus did with Simon. So, we are to look for something about them to
compliment them on; their clothes, their hair, their teeth, their demeanor, etc.
Personally, I struggle with this because I'm generally nervous about meeting
new people in the first place and remembering their name; and to make my feeble mind search for something to compliment them on, too, throws me in
to overload! However, if done with sincerity, I know that it is powerful in
winning people over. Mike's action points:
* I need to pray and ask God to remove the barrier in my mind that is
keeping me from remembering people's names when I meet
them and allowing me to pay them sincere compliments.
* Practice, practice, practice. Work with some friends or work mates
and practice paying each other compliments. When you see
people, even if you aren't going to meet them, look at them and
see what you can sincerely compliment them on and then
rehearse doing so in silence to yourself or in front of a mirror at
home.
*** Important Note: Telling someone you are not already intimate with they are sexy or something related is not a sincere compliment, but a pickup line and can get you into trouble.
Showing posts with label Peter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter. Show all posts
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
All that You Know May Not be Wise!
Ecclesiastes 1:17-18:
17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Mike's Thoughts:
I get "burned out" sometimes and I'm sure you do, too. It is a natural
human emotion and I believe that Soloman was experiencing such emotions
in the book of Ecclesiastes. Rick Warren teaches that my life is not to be
about me, but it is ALL about God. It is obvious in the verses above that
Soloman has lost the focus on God in his life. God blessed Soloman as
the wisest man to ever live and unfortunately, Soloman in all his wisdom,
lost his focus on God and, in his pursuit for more personal wisdom, found
knowledge that depressed him. Many times in the Bible God talks about
seeking wisdom, NEVER does He ask us to seek "madness and folly".
These are pursuits of the flesh and not Godly pursuits. As a leader I need
to keep my focus on heavenly pursuits that are in line with the vision and
mission of my company, community and family. Of course, I must also
create visions and missions that foster heavenly pursuits. Please note that there is an important distinction between wisdom and knowledge. All wisdom is knowledge, not all knowledge is wisdom, just ask Adam and Eve!
Mike's action points:
* When feeling down or depressed or burned out, I need to ask
myself if my focus is on me or on God?
* Study 2 Corinthians 7:1 and 2 Peter 1:2-11.
* A friend of mine is writing a book to be released late in 2009 and in
this book he makes a profound statement: "Ask him (God) to
show you barriers and then help you remove them." I need to spend quiet time with God asking Him to do just that especially as it relates to maintaining my focus on Him.
* Check the vision/mission(s) I am pursuing to make sure I can
pursue them in a Godly manner. If not, change them.
17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Mike's Thoughts:
I get "burned out" sometimes and I'm sure you do, too. It is a natural
human emotion and I believe that Soloman was experiencing such emotions
in the book of Ecclesiastes. Rick Warren teaches that my life is not to be
about me, but it is ALL about God. It is obvious in the verses above that
Soloman has lost the focus on God in his life. God blessed Soloman as
the wisest man to ever live and unfortunately, Soloman in all his wisdom,
lost his focus on God and, in his pursuit for more personal wisdom, found
knowledge that depressed him. Many times in the Bible God talks about
seeking wisdom, NEVER does He ask us to seek "madness and folly".
These are pursuits of the flesh and not Godly pursuits. As a leader I need
to keep my focus on heavenly pursuits that are in line with the vision and
mission of my company, community and family. Of course, I must also
create visions and missions that foster heavenly pursuits. Please note that there is an important distinction between wisdom and knowledge. All wisdom is knowledge, not all knowledge is wisdom, just ask Adam and Eve!
Mike's action points:
* When feeling down or depressed or burned out, I need to ask
myself if my focus is on me or on God?
* Study 2 Corinthians 7:1 and 2 Peter 1:2-11.
* A friend of mine is writing a book to be released late in 2009 and in
this book he makes a profound statement: "Ask him (God) to
show you barriers and then help you remove them." I need to spend quiet time with God asking Him to do just that especially as it relates to maintaining my focus on Him.
* Check the vision/mission(s) I am pursuing to make sure I can
pursue them in a Godly manner. If not, change them.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Do You Measure Up?
3/13/09
1 Peter 4:8-11:
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”[c] 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Mike’s Thoughts:
As a Christian, there is no better guide to effective leadership than the Bible.
Here Peter gives me 7 principles of leadership:
1. Love one another …. isn’t this the 2nd great commandment?
But notice, Peter doesn’t just say “love one another”; he says,
“have fervent love for one another”! I believe this means that I
am to be excited about loving others and love others with
enthusiasm. Personally, I need to work on my enthusiasm.
2. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. I know many
times I have had the attitude of accommodating someone but,
at least to myself, grumbling about it. Why can’t I just be
hospitable to everyone with a pure heart? It is obvious that I
have to fight my human nature to be more Christ-like. This
takes discipline and concerted effort. I pray that God gives me
these characteristics.
3. Minister my gift(s) to others. Well, I believe this means that I
should not be a closet Christian. Often I find myself being
reserved or shy about my Christianity, even to other Christians.
I pray that God will help me to be more outspoken and outgoing
about my Christianity without being pushy or offensive to others.
4. I am to be a good steward of God’s grace! This is a huge order
for me! I feel so unworthy of being a steward of God’s grace!
I feel this is an order for the mighty archangels Gabriel and
Michael ….. not Michael the imperfect human. I know that to be
an effective leader in business or my family, I must learn to be
a better steward of God’s grace and I pray for strength and
wisdom in this area.
5. Effective leaders speak as the oracles of God. How often do I
allow my mouth to be less than an oracle of God? Lord, give me
strength and discipline to control my words so that I can
represent You in an effective manner.
6. I am to minister with the ability that God supplies. Notice this
does not say with Mike’s ability. Every day I need to pray that
God gives me the ability to be an effective leader.
7. God is to be glorified in everything that I do. Another tall order that I often fall short of. I need to always strive to think, say and
do things in a manner that honors God.
In conclusion, when I measure myself against these 7 principles, I could say
that I would never be able to measure up to God’s standards, and I would be
correct. However, God does not expect us to be perfect like Jesus, only
continually striving to be Christ-like, righteous people doing His good work during our temporary stay on this planet.
1 Peter 4:8-11:
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”[c] 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Mike’s Thoughts:
As a Christian, there is no better guide to effective leadership than the Bible.
Here Peter gives me 7 principles of leadership:
1. Love one another …. isn’t this the 2nd great commandment?
But notice, Peter doesn’t just say “love one another”; he says,
“have fervent love for one another”! I believe this means that I
am to be excited about loving others and love others with
enthusiasm. Personally, I need to work on my enthusiasm.
2. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. I know many
times I have had the attitude of accommodating someone but,
at least to myself, grumbling about it. Why can’t I just be
hospitable to everyone with a pure heart? It is obvious that I
have to fight my human nature to be more Christ-like. This
takes discipline and concerted effort. I pray that God gives me
these characteristics.
3. Minister my gift(s) to others. Well, I believe this means that I
should not be a closet Christian. Often I find myself being
reserved or shy about my Christianity, even to other Christians.
I pray that God will help me to be more outspoken and outgoing
about my Christianity without being pushy or offensive to others.
4. I am to be a good steward of God’s grace! This is a huge order
for me! I feel so unworthy of being a steward of God’s grace!
I feel this is an order for the mighty archangels Gabriel and
Michael ….. not Michael the imperfect human. I know that to be
an effective leader in business or my family, I must learn to be
a better steward of God’s grace and I pray for strength and
wisdom in this area.
5. Effective leaders speak as the oracles of God. How often do I
allow my mouth to be less than an oracle of God? Lord, give me
strength and discipline to control my words so that I can
represent You in an effective manner.
6. I am to minister with the ability that God supplies. Notice this
does not say with Mike’s ability. Every day I need to pray that
God gives me the ability to be an effective leader.
7. God is to be glorified in everything that I do. Another tall order that I often fall short of. I need to always strive to think, say and
do things in a manner that honors God.
In conclusion, when I measure myself against these 7 principles, I could say
that I would never be able to measure up to God’s standards, and I would be
correct. However, God does not expect us to be perfect like Jesus, only
continually striving to be Christ-like, righteous people doing His good work during our temporary stay on this planet.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
How to Live the Good Life!
3/5/09
1 Peter 3:10-13:
“He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
Mike’s Thoughts:
Here Peter is telling me how to live the “good life”! If I love life, see good
days (positive mental attitude), refrain my tongue from evil, turn away from
evil and do good and seek peace I will have favor with the Lord and He
will hear my prayers. Perhaps being a Christian isn’t as difficult as I
sometimes make it…….
1 Peter 3:10-13:
“He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
Mike’s Thoughts:
Here Peter is telling me how to live the “good life”! If I love life, see good
days (positive mental attitude), refrain my tongue from evil, turn away from
evil and do good and seek peace I will have favor with the Lord and He
will hear my prayers. Perhaps being a Christian isn’t as difficult as I
sometimes make it…….
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Leading In the Home
3/4/09
John Maxwell on 1 Peter 3:1-7:
Leadership In the Home
No home can thrive without functioning according to sound leadership
principles.
Peter first challenges wives to submit to their husbands, even those who do
not submit to Christ. This is the principle of authority and submission. It shows up most pointedly when you disagree with the leader. When the wife
submits even though she opposes her husband’s decision, she gives a
powerful witness to Christ and brings a special honor to Him.
Husbands are called to live with their wives in an understanding way. They
are to honor their wives and model submission and service. They are to
initiate blessing, rather than retaliate when things go wrong.
Spiritual leaders assume responsibility for the health of their relationships.
This means they set the tone. They must initiate what they want others to
do.
Mike’s Thoughts:
I think the message from Peter and John Maxwell is clear; leadership in the
home should be a joint effort of both the husband and wife working
together and supporting each other and submitting to each other with the
ultimate authority being the husband. In no way does this mean that husbands are to be tyrants and wives are to be pushovers. I believe that
lack of appropriate leadership in the home is the root cause for most of our
societal problems today. Lack of sound Biblically based homes result in
dysfunctional and single parent homes leading to children being raised
without learning proper leadership and discipline. These children grow up
not respecting their parents, their elders and authority figures and seeking family outside the home and we all know that is not a healthy environment.
John Maxwell on 1 Peter 3:1-7:
Leadership In the Home
No home can thrive without functioning according to sound leadership
principles.
Peter first challenges wives to submit to their husbands, even those who do
not submit to Christ. This is the principle of authority and submission. It shows up most pointedly when you disagree with the leader. When the wife
submits even though she opposes her husband’s decision, she gives a
powerful witness to Christ and brings a special honor to Him.
Husbands are called to live with their wives in an understanding way. They
are to honor their wives and model submission and service. They are to
initiate blessing, rather than retaliate when things go wrong.
Spiritual leaders assume responsibility for the health of their relationships.
This means they set the tone. They must initiate what they want others to
do.
Mike’s Thoughts:
I think the message from Peter and John Maxwell is clear; leadership in the
home should be a joint effort of both the husband and wife working
together and supporting each other and submitting to each other with the
ultimate authority being the husband. In no way does this mean that husbands are to be tyrants and wives are to be pushovers. I believe that
lack of appropriate leadership in the home is the root cause for most of our
societal problems today. Lack of sound Biblically based homes result in
dysfunctional and single parent homes leading to children being raised
without learning proper leadership and discipline. These children grow up
not respecting their parents, their elders and authority figures and seeking family outside the home and we all know that is not a healthy environment.
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