leading isn't for cowards

Nehemiah 9:32 (NLT) --- "And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered seem insignificant to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings andleaders and priests and prophets and ancestors—all of your people—from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now.

Leading isn't easy, but it is a real blessing. In the last 3 days I have had some awesome conversations and some tough conversations. Yet each one reminded me of the responsibility that I have to the people I connect with. What is that responsibility?

Leading people means I have to be honest. Share the truth with confidence. Be open with who I am and where God has brought me from.

Leading people means I have to be clear. There are times and situations that need to be uncovered, discussed and more. When I beat around the bush or leave out things, I am not leading people as I can and as I must. That means deal with sin. That means confront relationships (which is hard for me). That means allowing God to use the pain and hurt that I have been through to help others.

Leading people means I have to spend time with God. God said that and desires time with us. That means Satan is going to do his best to keep our attention away from God. We have to guard that time, plan that time and follow through with that time. Often we are so busy that we miss God and what He is doing. Be honest about that time. Are you spending it with Him?

Leading isn't for cowards. In the verse above one of my heroes, Nehemiah, prays to God about the situation of the people. It is a tough time, but it is a time that God knows about, cares about and is willing to work through.

As a leader, remind people of what God said and about His promises. As a leader, deal honesty with the pain you and others are dealing with. As a leader, celebrate who God is and what He is doing.

Because Nehemiah was not a coward, the people around Him experienced God and great victory. I close with a question for you and for me ... what victories and what experiences am I keeping myself and others from because I am not leading the way God intended? Leading isn't for cowards. Remember that as you spend time with the people around you.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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