Blessings

When upon life's billows You are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged Thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings Name them one by one,
And it will surprise you What the Lord hath done.


Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your blessings See what God hath done.
Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings See what God hath done.


Are you ever burdened With a load of care,
Does the cross seem heavy You are called to bear.
Count your many blessings Every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing As the days go by.


When you look at others With their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised You His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings Money cannot buy,
Your reward in heaven Nor your home on high.


So amid the conflict Whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged God is over all.
Count your many blessings Angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you To your journey's end.

The Man in Mirror

The first person we must examine is ourselves.

The first person I must know is myself: self awareness.

The first person I must get alone with is myself: self-image

“I always say that the most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself. You’ve got to be your own best friend first. “ Phil McGraw

The first person to cause me problems is myself: self-honesty.

The first person I can change is myself: self-improving.

Leadership is Scarce

Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead. This scarcity makes leadership valuable. If everyone tries to lead all the time, not much happens. It’s discomfort that creates the leverage that makes leadership worthwhile.

In other words, if everyone could do it, they would, and it wouldn’t be worth much.

It’s uncomfortable to stand in front of strangers.
It’s uncomfortable to propose an idea that might fail.
It’s uncomfortable to challenge the status quo.
It’s uncomfortable to resist the urge to settle.

When you identify the discomfort, you’ve found the place where a leader is needed.
Seth Godin; "Tribes, We Need You to Lead Us”

Creating a Team Environment

Environment means the right soil to grow in, the right air to breathe in and the right climate to live in.

Questions to consider in leading a team:

1. Do I understand what it takes to be a TEAM.

T- tolerance of each other weaknesses

E- encouragement towards each other’s successes

A- acknowledge that each of us has something to offer

M- mindfulness that we need each other.

2. Are my expectations Crystal Clear?

“Having an understanding so you don’t have a misunderstanding.” -Charles Blair

3. Does my team understand “Why What we do is so some important?”

4. Does my team define success with their customer?

How to define success with the customer is by asking the customer what success looks like.

5. Am I holding people accountable for performance?

6. Do I seek out barriers and remove them?

7. Do I give the freedom required to learn, grow, and deliver?

8. Do I foster a culture of inclusion and Hire people that are different then me?

9. Am I a consensus builder?

The leader’s challenge: “Teamwork is a constant balancing act between self interest and group interest.” – Susan Campbell

10. Have I created a caring environment among team members?

Setting the Leadership Standard- Dr. John C. Maxwell

Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh?

Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? - Job 8:11

Environment is everything when it comes to making things grow. It doesn’t matter if it is tall corn stalks in the middle of Nebraska, or reeds in the middle of Egypt, or people in the midst of everyday life. Environment is what makes the conditions for growth possible.When growth is stunted or inhibited, or when a growing thing becomes sick, it is because something is askew in its surroundings, and those surroundings need to be changed in order for full health and development to be restored.

Much is written and taught in contemporary society about the need for balance in our lives. We know that when we are unbalanced, we are distorted and lack the right environment in which to thrive. And so, we try to create a more positive environment by changing our reactions, by reducing our stress, by taking time for ourselves, by exercising.

What about the environment that surrounds our soul? Is there any imbalance, disturbance, or distortion there? Is there ample time and space for the soul to grow, or is it cramped and scrunched between all the busy-ness of life? Is there enough silence so that it can be still and commune with its Creator? Is it choking on a diet of shame and guilt, or it is swimming freely in an ocean of unconditional love?

Think for a moment about your soul—can it grow where there is no marsh? Can it flourish where there is no water? - O God, give me the wisdom to see what needs to be changed in my life so that my soul is able to breathe.

This was a post I read this morning from Renee Miller over explorefaith.org.

Lies I struggle with

1. Sometimes I believe the lie that I can’t afford to take a break or rest.
2. Sometimes I believe the lie that I’ll spend quality time with my wife at the end of the day.
3. Sometimes I believe the lie that the more I do the more valuable I am.
4. Sometimes I believe the lie that the little problem I have isn’t jeopardizing my leadership.
5. Sometimes I believe the lie that I need to jump at every good opportunity.

These lies can really cloud my thinking on things and impair my judgment. It takes discipline in my thoughts to over come this kind of thinking. I can’t remember whom I first heard said this but it has stuck with me, “Discipline thought equals discipline action.”

The ways I try to stay discipline:
- Schedule my week in advance.
- Prioritize time with my wife on son.
- Surround myself with friends who will push back when needed.
- Stay disciplined about my faith, my exercise and personal time.
- Learn to say no.
- Decide in advance what I hope to accomplish.

I credit Tony Morgan’s book “Killing Cockroaches” pages 90-92 for the information

The Company You Keep

It is better to be alone then in wrong company.

Tell me who your best friends are I will tell you who you are.

If you run with the wolves you will learn how to howl.

If you associate with eagles you will learn how to soar.

A mirror reflects a mans face, but what he is really like is reflected in the friends he chooses.

Any time you tolerate mediocre in others it increases your mediocre.

As you grow you associates will change.

Some of your friend will not want you to grow on- they want you stay they way you are.

Friends who don’t help you climb will want you to crawl.

Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream.

Those who don’t increase you will eventually decrease you.

Never receive counsel from unproductive people.

Not everyone in your life has a right to speak into your life.

Don’t follow anyone who is not going anywhere.

Wise is the person who fortifies his life with right friendships.

Your best of days are surrounded by different people of your worst of days.