If walls could talk

If walls could talk, I wonder what they would say about you and I?
All so often as leaders we must remind ourselves that there is more that happens outside of our workplace ,
church or what ever type of organization..

WHAT WOULD THE WALLS OF OUR HOME SAY?

There is a lot that would be said..let me just mention a few:

1) CHARACTER
This is what some try to cover or hide..but remember its who we are when no one else is around.
The truth is...character will be revealed by those closest to us.
It's not a matter of when but where..
I'm reminded about a story from the word if God that speaks about character so closely
It is the story in 1kgs 5 about a man named Naaman that heard there was a great (I'm paraphrasing )
man that was known for performing miracles. Well one day he went to see him for husband own miracle. Which was the healing of leprosy. So he went thinking he would wave his had over him and that would be it..(wrong) The prophet told him to dunk himself 7 times... He did and experienced a miracle. Now here's where it gets interesting, Naaman wanted to give,bless the man of God..which it was refused BUT the man of God's servant was there watching all this go down

Choices.. Making The Right Ones

The choices we make, make us.. If we only would take that thought more into account.. The choices we all make, eventually will make us!

I can say with utmost honesty I've made some bad choices (amen) If I was to change those choices I would, but it's to late that choice has been made. So looking head what would or should I do different when making choices? I'm not the best person to ask on this subject, but hey I can offer my experience on the subject having made some boo boos..

Wrong choices = Wrong results

Right choices = Right results

If we are experiencing the wrong results- pretty good indicator we've been making the wrong choices.. The truth about choices nobody else can make'em for you.. Having said that, let me offer what I think through my personal experience how to decrease the making of wrong choices and shift over to make the right ones.

1) Pray Over The Choice

Too often this sounds over simplistic, but really- do we ?

Save us a whole lot of unnecessary trials..

2) Seek Out Counsel

Not all the time but it depends on the choice that has to be made

Proverbs says: there is safety in a multitude of counselors

Let me insert this quickly: As a leader the choices you make not only effect you but many that follow are also affected

3) Study Past Choices

• What was the choice
• What was the outcome
• Did it bring it's intended result
• Who was effected by my choice
• What feeling where associated with that choice

When we study past choices it can help extremely on make new one's

4) Timing Is Crucial

You make a choice too early or too late or not at all -- "to be indecisive is still making a decision"

There's a principle called- Peak to Peak principle

Meaning this: We have the tendency during the valleys not the peaks to make choices, and usually the valleys are the wrong times to make those choice (valley- lows of life).. It's not on the peaks (good times-success) in our careers or marriages or ministry, that we make choices.

Often the choice we make during the valleys are decisions of quiting or moving on..

Here's an example of this peak to peak principle in action: Marriage is experiencing hardships, arguing almost every other day, bills are piling up..(valley-lows of life) WRONG TIME TO MAKE DECISIONS... Peak= Blessed in every which way marriage is growing, and glowing..RIGHT TIME TO MAKE A DECISION

Well I hope that this has been helpful.. Till next time, remember - Leaders are readers

Appreciate your feedback Leave a comet:

When A Leader Faces Lonely Times

For sure each leader has and will face those lonely times, it's a matter of when. If you face those times what can we do? This is not a quick fix approach to the problem of loneliness..

When and if you ever feel lonely, allow me to suggest 5

things to do:

1) Friendships

2) Fight through it

3) Fellowship

4) Focus

5) Find Help

Let me just share a little more in depth on two of the five I mentioned

1. Focus: Our focus sometimes is turned inward rather than upward, we might focus on what or who we don't have in our lives verses who and what we have.. Please recognize your outlook will determine your outcome

I have at times- must admit been lonely- even in a crowded room.. Thank God I didn't stay there too long - It was a matter of focus!

2. Find Help

Did you know that you are not the only one who has ever faced lonely times?

There's help out there: professional, pastoral, parents, and even peers

There hardest thing is asking for it; Why do we as leaders find it hard to ask for help?

3 things come to mind- here let me share them with you:

a. Pride

b. People -opinions, what will so, so think- are you more interested in what they think than you well being?

c. Past - letdowns, hurt- from those we've shared intimate stuff with.

Let me share this important thought with you: Loneliness is the first thing which God's eye named, not good.. so it is not good for you to be alone!! Thank you for stopping by The Leadership Den...Until Next Time

When Leaders Lose Their Cutting Edge Prt2

Dear Rising Leader,


How does a leader remain S.H.A.R.P.? If we are to remain sharp or cutting edge leaders> we must first acknowledge "if" we're losing our edge, them proceed.

Keep in mind it really doesn't become a reality within an individual until he/she passes from paper to practice. Let me explain: everything always looks good on paper, or should I say in theory. But in practice well.... Vision looks fantastic on paper, Goals look amazing on paper, and a mission statement looks utterly tremendous. But? What get pictured and doesn't get done is what I liken it to: "a submarine with screen doors" Pretty much> useless. Or a decoration on the wall of some large foyer of an organization.

There must be an applying of the following keys: 1) S- Skills: in the Book of Ecc. we're reminded of a scripture that says if the axe is dull it takes more strength, but skill will bring success.


Staying shrp involves aquiring and maintaing skills. Such as people skills (listening, communication, etc) 2) H- Heart : do you still have a heart for people and ministry?

Or have you become harden due to hurts, disappointments and even betrayal? We must cultivate a passion with compassion in our hearts continually.

3) A- Attitude: It's has been said before Attitude not aptitude will determine your altitude in this life. You attitude will determine how far you go in this life.. How you do what you do?
Is a measuring of our attitude> An example of this is when given something to do> do You respond based on how you feel or do you just do it? 4) R- Read: to lead you must continually read! Not what's trendy or "IN" But relevant and worthy of application. Not everything you and I read is for where we are at for that particular time. Lastly to remain sharp: P- 5)Pray: for the christian leader this a non-negotiable item. Remember: God is not like a spare tire, call on him only when we need him!! Consistently seeking him- for the Refining, Refueling, Realignment, and Restoration..



Until Next time: Leaders Are Readers.

When Leaders Lose Their Cutting Edge

Dear rising leader,
Have you ever asked yourself do I still have the cutting edge as I did in the begining of my leadership? Many leaders today have lost their cutting edge and may not even realize it.
The tradegy is that they don't have it and continue to operate as if they still had it.
In the pages of Gods Word we find an account of a story that depicts this very thing. In 2 kings 6: 1-6, please allow me to paraphase this passage: As they were cutting, the iron axe fell..The individual cries out " it was borrowed"--> Exactly; all we have is borrowed: Time Talent, Treasue, and even Titles.

Nothing really belongs to us anyway!

The axe head is now floating Not attached (the cutting edge is lost)
Please note is another passage in the bible it speaks about when the axe is dull it takes more strength.
This is why so many Leaders are burned out--> they have lost their cutting edge..
The Cutting Edge: Signs that you might be loosing or lost your cutting edge.
First and foremost, There's a lack of Relationship Building. Remember people are your greatest asset. Secondly, not Reproducing other Leaders. As Leadership expert John Maxwell says: It takes a leader to know a leader, to show a leader and to grow a leader.
Thirdly, the constant inability to Retain Followers..If there is a revolving door in your ministry or business this an indicator. Quick test: how many people in your organization that were close to you have left in the last 3months. Lastly: Resilience That's Fading. IN OTHER WORDS IF YOU'RE AT A POINT OF ALMOST QUITTING. I didn't say quitting- but almost. We've all had those days: I almost lost my temper, I almost slipped my tongue, I almost walked out of my marriage. I'm sayin that happens but come on--> every week? somethings wrong. be careful my friend..You resilience is fading.. So how do you remain S.H.A.R.P.? A cutting edge leader?
Stay tuned - next issue. Until next time: remember leaders are readers!!

What About Me?

This is a statement that is not a laughing matter, or one that's not spoken about in many circles but I guarantee it's run through many of our minds (amen)..

If we can be honest about it > I've been here on many occasions...

What about me Lord? I see so and so getting used, acknowledged, blessed, etc.
Now if this sounds way too familar- don't be surprised "it happens" So if it is happening now, how should we respond?


Allow me to suggest three simple yet profound(in my opinion) things to help us through this:

1) The Lord Has Not Forgotten You
Read this passage slowly: Isa 49: 15-16 And the Lord answered] Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you.Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands;


2) He Is Not Done Using You
Phil 1:6 he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.



3) He's Dealing With Us
Please understand what I'm about to say to you: If you're feeling like you're on a shelf and God is not using you the way you would like him to: pay close attention to this: People around us may possible read us wrong when were in this place (God's dealings) For example: Remember Hannah in 1 Samuel- when she was crying out to God because she was barren: vs 12 -14 says: As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.

The point is this:
other people might see something wrong with you, but they don't know God's dealing with you .

So bottomline: sit tight this will pass!!

Hey thanks for stopping by The Leadership Den- until next time remember: Readers are Leaders..

Constructing A New Leader

When I consider Leadership, there is always room for improvement. For example; there are things that are constant and one of those things is change. Today I have found that as I enter a new year, I must start thinking of constructing a new me. How about You do you feel the same.. What is needed for the construction project, cause believe me it's a project. The tools one needs are:

1) Prayer
Without God none of it is possible

2)Partnership
Can't do it alone

3) Pressure
not all pressure is good..but the pressure that makes you want better for your life is good

4)Purpose
Without it, you'll do it for only a season and not continue

lastlly> the tool we need
5) Persistence
Because it will not be easy!!

So how do we construct a new you....

It's within the pages of God's word
Phillipians 3
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Paul Gives Us key things that will help us:
But one thing I do:
1) Devotion

he did not say 5 things or 9 things I do, he said one thing

Need to be devoted to becoming a new us!

straining toward
2) Direction
We need to have direction as to what were aiming at to become

If we don't know where we're going how will we know

we got there

press on toward the goal
3)Determination
it will get difficult, and hard when you begin to make needed changes(ouch)
but if we keep on with it and not quit...

There is a new leaderon the horizons.. Thanks for stopping by the Leadership den..

till next time ...