A new study (http://ow.ly/V90d) says there is a growing number of Americans that are "practicing" & "combining" several types of religion and spiritual beliefs to find satisfaction. Continue Reading…

Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results. - George S. Patton

In warfare, spiritual leaders must be empowering, not neutering! As we engage the enemy and all of his forces on a daily basis, we limit our strength if we focus on "micro managing" those God has given us to lead.

Do you remember this popular skit from SNL? It’s when a famous, never miss record producer helps a band with their next hit. The band hates this guy in the group playing his "cow bell" so much and so loud. They feel it is ruining their chances for a hit. However, the professional producer says just the opposite, "I have a fever, and the only thing that can satisfy it is more Cow Bell." Continue Reading…

Man allegedly threatens neighbors with slingshot http://ow.ly/TFaA

This guy is 65 years old, gets mad at his neighbor and decides to get his "weapon" of choice… a slingshot! Listen, if you are going into battle, choose the right weapon, or you will get your butt kicked! This holds true in any arena of conflict and struggle. Continue Reading…

The greatest growth in a Christ-Follower comes one day at a time, one step, one decision, one conviction that holds him to a new standard or habit. I have found this growth comes as a direct result of your desire to be conformed to the image of Christ, with an insatiable hunger to move from Glory to Glory.  One should never be satisfied with the status quo and never, never even entertaining the idea "I’ve gone as far as I can go."  What does all this mean?… CHANGE!

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Well, these may not be "secrets" but they are the small hidden practices of great leadership.  The software that runs the hardware kinda thing. In other words, these should be part of your "wiring" or a part of the practices and core values that make you… you.  And if "you" are a leader, these can be "downloaded" over a period of time with prayer and practice. If these are not part of your current DNA as a leader, guess what… YOU CAN CHANGE! Helping those around them change for the better is at the core of every great leader’s heart.  So here goes…

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"The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them."   - Thomas Merton

I see one of the greatest temptations of leadership is…manipulation. Sometimes we don’t fully understand the meaning of this word. We think we would never "manipulate" anyone. Rather, we call it our "gift of persuasion", strong leadership, ability to cast the vision or good pastoring. I think we need to understand that the Bible equates manipulation with WITCHCRAFT! Holy crap! Continue Reading…

As a leader I have a confession to make: I don’t want to be a leader right now! Can anybody understand that? Too many decisions, to many people, too many projects & each and every one is legitimate and in need of attention. So how do I crawl to a place of peace and silence, where all the voices are muted?

Pardon my rant, but this is my blog, and I can complain if I want to!

Anytime you dream big, lead hard, or have a great passion you will encounter the inevitable "doubter." As leaders, we don’t like these people! We sometimes perceive them as threats, "stealer’s of the vision" or someone not wanting to be "under authority." At times these concerns may be valid, but many times we just need to learn how to deal with the doubter. Just a couple of suggestions… Continue Reading…

As leaders we (and others) are constantly adding to our plate of responsibility. We can find ourselves trying to manage, hold together, and in some cases grow a plethora of diverse projects. Being in this environment as a leader is not new, however it is constantly changing. The challenge becomes to change and meet the new demands. Continue Reading…