For Free

Several years ago, I wrote the book, Bleedership, Biblical First-Aid for Leaders. In the book I contrast the leadership style of a tyrannical boss I had with the leadership style of some of the Bible's greatest leaders.

Two and a half years ago, I decided to offer a monthly newsletter with the same title to doctors and business owners. This is customized to their practice or business with their names at the top of each page and I also give them the option to write the last page themselves for a personal message. They offer this to their patients and employees as a way to minister to and encourage them.

I also have a version which I offer to individuals. Just this month, I decided to make this individual newsletter available for free. If you would like to check it out and begin receiving this, simply go to www.bleedership.com and take about 15 seconds to complete the form. It will then be emailed to you each month. If you ever want to discontinue, you can easily unsubscribe at anytime. I hope you are blessed and encouraged by this in some way!

Lunch Date

Yesterday I had a great lunch date with my wife, Connie. We had a very tasty meal and some awesome conversation about what God is up to in our lives. It was very enjoyable.

I know, this seems quite unremarkable. But for me this is out of the ordinary. Especially when you look at my calendar and see that I had a lunch date with her last week also!

You see, I'm one of those people who feels like he can't play until he gets his work done. I was this way growing up too. Believe it or not, I would come home from school and finish my homework before going out to play. I know, I know...quite strange.

Once I had my work done, I found that I could play much better. I didn't have anything looming over my head. No deadlines. No pressure.

I have obviously carried this over to my life. On one hand, I believe this can be a positive trait. With me, however, I'm not so sure. I tend to get too caught up in my "to do" list and I allow myself to get stressed when things are not being checked off my list the way I would like. As a result, some relationships may suffer at the hands of my list of "have to dos." As if the world might end if I don't get them done.

I guess the key phrase above is, "the way I would like." As if it's all about me. Pretty selfish.

Well...this is one area where God is dealing with me. So, yes, going to lunch with my bride in the middle of the workday (when I still had stuff to do!) is a big deal--at least for me! And guess what? The world did not come off its axis!

Your True Boss

You thought you had a tough job. It’s all a matter of perspective (see picture above).

One of my favorite stores in the Toledo area is Monette’s Market. They have great lunch meat and terrific fruits and vegetables. And most of the time they offer great service.

There are usually 3-4 people working behind the deli meat counter. This area is separate from the other parts of the store because they keep it pretty cold in there. Even in the summer, working several hours under those conditions would produce a good chill in one’s bones. On top of the environmental issues, many a time, those working behind the glass have to deal with rude and irate customers. There have been times that I have been waiting and have been embarrassed because of the way a customer treated one of the workers.

Yet, most of the time these workers maintain great attitudes…even under duress. In fact, they look like they are enjoying what they are doing.

I am quite confident that these people didn’t get their high school diplomas and declare, “Yea! Now I can cut deli meat!” I am sure this is not their dream job. Yet, they serve with joy.

In Colossians 3:34-34, the apostle Paul wrote about this very thing when he penned, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

The key word in my opinion in that verse is “whatever.” This means in everything we do, be it taking out the trash, changing that smelly diaper or playing with our kids.

So, do you like your job? Even if you don’t, if you can remember who your real Boss is, it might give you a different outlook and help you to serve with joy and enthusiasm.

Shaqtastic

I am a Shaquille O'Neal fan. I always have been. I think he is very funny and I think he handles his fame well. Sure he's made some mistakes, but overall I think he's a good guy.

He was recently acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers to play alongside LeBron James, also known as "the king." Many people in this situation might have come in demanding all the attention. Some might have resented LeBron and all of his fame. It seems that is not the case with Shaq.

As stated in the above clip, Shaq's "motto is very simple--to win a ring for the king." According to this statement, he sees himself as coming alongside LeBron to help him. It is also clear to me by his comments that he knows who the biggest star is on the Cavaliers...LeBron, as he had this to say, "I'm now in the security business. I'm here to protect the king."

To some, this may seem like trivial stuff. To me, I find Shaq's humility and team spirit very refreshing. Though I'm not a huge Cleveland fan, I'll be rooting for the Cavs this year.

Freedom Isn't Free

Too much in this great country of ours, we view Independence Day as just another reason to get a day off of work or to go to a party. I think we fail to realize the significance of this day in our country's history--I know I have done this.

I was planning on posting an article which was sent to me about the fate of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. The article went on to share the incredible personal cost incurred by each of them including having homes burned down and literally running for their lives. Fortunately, before posting, I snoped it and found that some of what was written in the email was true but some of it was false.

But nevertheless, I think we can all agree that the freedom we enjoy in this country was, and is not free. A heavy price has been paid and we need to be thankful for that and celebrate it.

In much the same way, our personal freedom isn't free either. Jesus paid a heavy price for you and me. We need to be thankful for that as well! (To learn more about this, go here to see a message from my good friend John Beckett).

Have a great and safe weekend!

Ahead of God

When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the Lord said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over."

Joshua 13:1

I have a tendency to be very action oriented. When I was in a sales position, if I would sell an account, I would be eager to go find the next one. I even struggle with this in everyday life. I oftentimes feel like I need to be doing something. As a result, after I complete a task, I look for the next task to do rather than resting or relaxing. This occurs way more often than I would like to admit. Pretty unhealthy.

This week I read the above verse and it really hit me. I agree, it appears to be a pretty unremarkable verse, but God really used it to speak into my life. In chapter 12 of Joshua, we learn of all the kings (31 in all) that Joshua and the Israelites had defeated and the land they had taken. Yet in the verse above, we see that God comes to speak to Joshua, apparently many years later and says that there is more land to be taken.

I found this remarkable because, had I been in Joshua's shoes, as soon as we had conquered the 31st king, just like in my sales career and in my daily life, I would have said, "OK, where is number 32? Let's go get 'em!" And, I would have been out in front of God (which I have found I'm pretty good at at times!).

But that's obviously not what Joshua did. After they conquered the 31st king, he waited on the Lord. That doesn't mean he did nothing. It doesn't mean he was lazy. But it does mean that he didn't proceed with his conquering business until God told him to. What a great example!

A Prayer-less Leader

While I was in Hong Kong several weeks ago, I heard Allen Hood speak. He is with the International House of Prayer (aka IHOP) in Kansas City. He said something that has been rattling around in my brain for the past weeks, "A prayer-less leader is a power-less leader."

As much as I don't want to admit it, that's one of those axioms that I think is right on the money. This is an area in my life where I have not been extremely strong. However, I was convicted during my time overseas that I needed to step up my prayer life. I am doing so by continuing on with my daily time with God and adding a trip to the Greater Toledo House of Prayer once per week. This morning is my morning to go. And you know what? I am actually looking forward to it! That is a good thing for me!

"It is written," He said to them, "My house will be called a house of prayer..."
Matthew 21:13