Saturday, February 4, 2012
Magnificent by Hillsong
My song of the day. You are magnificent Lord, and no one ever will compare to you, Jesus! I hope that as you listen to the song, it will enlighten and brighten your day and may the lyrics of the song bring you closer to God, your maker.
Friday, February 3, 2012
5 Leadership Lessons from Former Pres. George Bush
I wanted to share this article from crosswalk.com written by Kevin East. I hope you can get something from it.
This past week, he was here in Tyler, TX speaking to a large group of people. My wife and I were able to attend, and draw the following nuggets of leadership wisdom from his speech:
1. Lead by example. This is not something he spoke on, but what he didn't speak on. After a wild enthusiast yelled from the crowd, "We need you back, George," he stated simply that it is inappropriate for a former president to criticize a sitting president, so he would not be talking about President Obama. What a great model.
2. "You can't lead without optimism." From day one in the presidency, he talked about his view for America was optimism. He wanted everything, including the rug in the Oval Office, to reflect this. In light of everything this country went through while he was president, I could see why this was so important to him.
3. Make decisions based on principle. I knew this about him already. I didn't know the depth of how this impacted his decisions. He said, "I believe in the Almighty and the gift of God to every man, woman and child is freedom." This was the foundation of his foreign policy. Many people don't agree with this. What I drew from it was that his decisions were based on a principle. My decisions as a leader should be based on something as well. If not, popular opinion will dictate them.
I thought the most telling story of the evening was about September 12, 2001. Sixty years prior to that date, Bush's dad was fighting the Japanese in WWII. But after the Trade Center attacks, on Sept. 12, the Prime Minister of Japan called Bush. In the brief call he let Bush know that the Japanese were close friends with American, and pledged to stand by us as we sought to eradicate these terrorists. Who would have thought 60 years ago that this could ever be the case? Bush believes in freedom for all, and that Iraq could be a democracy in the Middle East. What might that look like in 60 years?
4. Leaders read. He joked with the crowd that most people didn't believe he could read. However, he read often as our president. I read in a different book about him that he and Karl Rove had a competition one year on how many books he could read. I think Bush read a little over 100 in a year, while Rove read around 130.
From there he talked about the fact he read his Bible every day as president. Some days I don't get in God's Word, and I chalk it up because of busyness. Hearing him say this helped put it in perspective for me. If he can read his Bible each day while in office, it shouldn't be too difficult for me to do the same.
5. Know who you are trying to please. When asked about what he thought about people who said he wasn't conservative enough as a president he said, "There is no such thing as an accurate short-term history." To follow up, he said: "And as far as a long-term account, I don't really care. I won't be here." I was fascinated that he came across so secure.
As I lead, I don't want to try to please people, but I want my life and leadership to please God. It is He who I seek to serve. I left the night inspired. Inspired to stand on the Foundation of my decisions, and to boldly lead where He leads me. As my son grows up, I look forward to letting him know why we named him what we did, and the charge for him to lead based on principle, for an audience of One.
Note: Kevin East named his son after the former president's name.
This past week, he was here in Tyler, TX speaking to a large group of people. My wife and I were able to attend, and draw the following nuggets of leadership wisdom from his speech:
1. Lead by example. This is not something he spoke on, but what he didn't speak on. After a wild enthusiast yelled from the crowd, "We need you back, George," he stated simply that it is inappropriate for a former president to criticize a sitting president, so he would not be talking about President Obama. What a great model.
2. "You can't lead without optimism." From day one in the presidency, he talked about his view for America was optimism. He wanted everything, including the rug in the Oval Office, to reflect this. In light of everything this country went through while he was president, I could see why this was so important to him.
3. Make decisions based on principle. I knew this about him already. I didn't know the depth of how this impacted his decisions. He said, "I believe in the Almighty and the gift of God to every man, woman and child is freedom." This was the foundation of his foreign policy. Many people don't agree with this. What I drew from it was that his decisions were based on a principle. My decisions as a leader should be based on something as well. If not, popular opinion will dictate them.
I thought the most telling story of the evening was about September 12, 2001. Sixty years prior to that date, Bush's dad was fighting the Japanese in WWII. But after the Trade Center attacks, on Sept. 12, the Prime Minister of Japan called Bush. In the brief call he let Bush know that the Japanese were close friends with American, and pledged to stand by us as we sought to eradicate these terrorists. Who would have thought 60 years ago that this could ever be the case? Bush believes in freedom for all, and that Iraq could be a democracy in the Middle East. What might that look like in 60 years?
4. Leaders read. He joked with the crowd that most people didn't believe he could read. However, he read often as our president. I read in a different book about him that he and Karl Rove had a competition one year on how many books he could read. I think Bush read a little over 100 in a year, while Rove read around 130.
From there he talked about the fact he read his Bible every day as president. Some days I don't get in God's Word, and I chalk it up because of busyness. Hearing him say this helped put it in perspective for me. If he can read his Bible each day while in office, it shouldn't be too difficult for me to do the same.
5. Know who you are trying to please. When asked about what he thought about people who said he wasn't conservative enough as a president he said, "There is no such thing as an accurate short-term history." To follow up, he said: "And as far as a long-term account, I don't really care. I won't be here." I was fascinated that he came across so secure.
As I lead, I don't want to try to please people, but I want my life and leadership to please God. It is He who I seek to serve. I left the night inspired. Inspired to stand on the Foundation of my decisions, and to boldly lead where He leads me. As my son grows up, I look forward to letting him know why we named him what we did, and the charge for him to lead based on principle, for an audience of One.
Note: Kevin East named his son after the former president's name.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
5 REASONS WHY YOU DON"T HAVE A DATE ON V-DAY!
When was the last time you had a date on Valentine’s Day?
While it’s considered a holiday for women and kryptonite for singles Valentine’s Day should be celebrated no matter who you are. Not as a day to buy gifts and flowers but as a reminder of how much love all of us have in our lives.
I’m sorry if you think that’s incredibly cheesy.
I’m often asked, “What do you do if you don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day?” The answer: nothing. The dating truth is, you’re not going to do anything differently on Valentine’s Day that your stubborn behind wasn’t willing to do 45 days ago.
What many singles insist on doing is taking an inventory of their love life.
How did they get here?
Dateless and lonely?
How have they managed not to have a date, not just on February 14th but every other day of the year?
Some singles can’t help but wonder why they don’t have a date on loves’ most celebrated day. Well if you must know, here are a few conclusions I’ve drawn from experience.
It’s not a priority. If you don’t have a date on Valentine’s Day maybe you should admit that it just wasn’t high on your to do list. Some people are last-minute Christmas shoppers, dating is no different. You can spend so much time waiting for the perfect gift to jump out at you all the while the date is ever approaching and you’ve bought nothing. Telling yourself that something is important is not the same as making it a priority. Whatever we focus on in our lives the universe creates. If you harbor and being single, that is how you will stay.
You missed an opportunity. It’s possible that you overlooked someone who was really interested in you. Perhaps you failed to engage them; maybe you convinced yourself that they weren’t flirting with you after all. There are numerous chances singles get to meet potential dates but many fail to seize the moment and take advantage of the occasion. Some might call it obsession but when you’re single keeping an eye out for chance encounters with possible dates is just smart. Speak up, make eye contact with strangers and if your intuition tells you someone might be interested, go with it!
You’ve spent too much time with the wrong person. Often singles don’t listen to their gut. Sometimes they listen to their heart and not their head. Even when we know we should move on some singles waste their time on people who are no good for them. When the relationship goes south or red flags are raised instead of moving on, as we know we should, many singles stay in unhappy relationships making it unlikely that they will find who they’re meant to be with.
You didn’t make an effort. Hot men and women don’t go around knocking on doors asking for dates. When singles are looking for potential partners it takes making an effort not only with your looks but also being outgoing, open-minded and aggressive. You have to set yourself apart from others and stand out in a crowd. I’m not suggesting that you overly pursue every attractive person you see but at least show signs of interest. It’s ok if the feelings aren’t reciprocated. Knowing that you made an effort and didn’t let yourself down trumps the feeling of rejection any day.
You didn’t give yourself a chance. So many single men and women approach dating thinking, “What could this person possibly see in me?” or maybe you’re one of those people who are afraid others will lose interest eventually. It’s common to sabotage ourselves with potential date to avoid, what we think, is inevitable rejection. The truth is, you can never really know what someone else sees in you. You have to believe that once you think someone is amazing they will feel the same. You can never believe that you’re not good enough, which is the exact dialogue that keeps many singles…well, single. While being single on Valentine’s Day might not have been your choice it is your fault? Are you guilty of any of the mentioned behaviors? Well, just be yourself and never lose hope that one you will meet the right person for you.
It’s not a priority. If you don’t have a date on Valentine’s Day maybe you should admit that it just wasn’t high on your to do list. Some people are last-minute Christmas shoppers, dating is no different. You can spend so much time waiting for the perfect gift to jump out at you all the while the date is ever approaching and you’ve bought nothing. Telling yourself that something is important is not the same as making it a priority. Whatever we focus on in our lives the universe creates. If you harbor and being single, that is how you will stay.
You missed an opportunity. It’s possible that you overlooked someone who was really interested in you. Perhaps you failed to engage them; maybe you convinced yourself that they weren’t flirting with you after all. There are numerous chances singles get to meet potential dates but many fail to seize the moment and take advantage of the occasion. Some might call it obsession but when you’re single keeping an eye out for chance encounters with possible dates is just smart. Speak up, make eye contact with strangers and if your intuition tells you someone might be interested, go with it!
You’ve spent too much time with the wrong person. Often singles don’t listen to their gut. Sometimes they listen to their heart and not their head. Even when we know we should move on some singles waste their time on people who are no good for them. When the relationship goes south or red flags are raised instead of moving on, as we know we should, many singles stay in unhappy relationships making it unlikely that they will find who they’re meant to be with.
You didn’t make an effort. Hot men and women don’t go around knocking on doors asking for dates. When singles are looking for potential partners it takes making an effort not only with your looks but also being outgoing, open-minded and aggressive. You have to set yourself apart from others and stand out in a crowd. I’m not suggesting that you overly pursue every attractive person you see but at least show signs of interest. It’s ok if the feelings aren’t reciprocated. Knowing that you made an effort and didn’t let yourself down trumps the feeling of rejection any day.
You didn’t give yourself a chance. So many single men and women approach dating thinking, “What could this person possibly see in me?” or maybe you’re one of those people who are afraid others will lose interest eventually. It’s common to sabotage ourselves with potential date to avoid, what we think, is inevitable rejection. The truth is, you can never really know what someone else sees in you. You have to believe that once you think someone is amazing they will feel the same. You can never believe that you’re not good enough, which is the exact dialogue that keeps many singles…well, single. While being single on Valentine’s Day might not have been your choice it is your fault? Are you guilty of any of the mentioned behaviors? Well, just be yourself and never lose hope that one you will meet the right person for you.
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