Leadership runs deep

I've been trying to be very intentional with my study about leadership.  I want to make sure I have a good understanding of the younger generations and what their needs are, as well as trying to improve my leadership for those I've served with for years.

The first thing in my studies that is very consistent, is the need to embrace the fact that God gifted me to lead.  This has always been difficult for me because although I'm very opinionated, I prefer group leadership, owning and carrying out decisions made by a group instead of being "the" leader.  This is why I love serving as one of the Directors of Crossroads - group ownership is the best!

However, as I look at my life, I see over and over again that God keeps placing me in positions of leadership both at work and in my personal life, so AGAIN I'm stepping completely into that confidence and thanking the Lord for the opportunities.  AND, continuing to try to learn and develop.

Secondly, in my studies, I'm seeing again how important it is to work toward health in the Lord.

A firm, full-in commitment to studying His Word, really studying, not just reading and covering our ministry, my family, my country and friends in prayer.

And then, confessing constantly.

The other day I was praying and He brought to mind all these little things, wrong thoughts, jealousy, unkind words - seemingly trivial things if you begin to compare.  As He placed each one on my heart I began to confess them .....and I suddenly felt the weight of those 'little' sins.

Even a single unkind word - created a need for a Savior.  Remembering that all sin is equal in it's requirement of confession and forgiveness, caused me in that moment to really understand why my leadership, life and everything that comes out of my mouth must be glorifying to the Lord.

My desire to be healthy before my Lord, must include the physical as well.  I've been blessed with a very high metabolism, however, weight is not the only deciding factor for a call to better health.  I'm seeing more and more people my age who are not overweight developing 'lifestyle' related critical illnesses.  Some of which would possibly be prevented with a very healthy lifestyle.  I read recently, "For the first time in history as many people are suffering from too much food, as are from malnutrition" Rick Warren.  Too much food is a choice.  I am really, really going to attempt to provide healthy choices for my family as I cook and prepare our meals, snacks and 'outings' together.

The other thing I feel we should all take advantage of are opportunities like the Global Leadership Summit Simulcast - that we will broadcast for 2 days, Thursday and Friday, August 6 & 7th at Crossroads.  This event provides important leadership development whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a CEO of a large company.  Because it's not possible for our Crossroads leaders and attendees to all go away for a conference due to our busy schedules, we decided to bring it to us!

I'm asking you, PLEASE consider attending this with us.  To register or find out more about it click on this link, http://www.crossroadswired.com/summit and remember Crossroads attendees, we have a special code for a cheaper price!

Strong leadership (all of us have areas we lead in), healthy lifestyle, burying ourselves in Him = the life He created us to live.

leading

Leading is difficult, especially if it is for a long continuous time.  Things are bound to go wrong at some point.  An inconsistency may limit the the desire of others to follow you or cause them to question your integrity.  Your creativity or eye for detail occasionally misses the mark.  You rely on your own ability instead of including others.  You begin to believe you are infallible.




Pastor Rick Warren said the following:  The problem today is we don’t know the difference between being a leader and a boss. They are not the same. Dictators demand. Leaders model. You don’t lead by dictating. You lead by example. The Bible says, “Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care but lead them by your good example.” (1 Peter 5:3 NLT)


I have to confess, I have never enjoyed working for anyone I considered just to be my boss.  There have only been a couple of people in my life in the position of boss that I consider a leader worth following.  The others were only there by appointment.  Put into a position that we were forced to follow by the acceptance of our job.


So I must ask myself.  Do I lead as Jesus lead?  Am I willing to do anything to help get the job done - willing to lead by example?  Do people follow me because they have to or because they feel like my leadership is worth following?  I long to lead like Jesus lead.


He never asks us to do what He hasn't already done.

just really thankful

I have so much to be thankful for...I became filled with thankfulness tonight.

I am starting to put away some of our son's college stuff because he's all done - he's touring - and he gave me permission to take down old posters and get his room ready to paint.

This doesn't mean 'he's out'! Just that, no kidding...embarrassing...oh well here it goes... we haven't painted his room since we built the house 14 years ago! Nasty! ha ha Not really so bad because he has always had tons of posters up. So the old posters are coming down and a great big cleaning is beginning.

As I cleaned tonight and cleared a closet shelf for all his books, I was overwhelmed at the books he has read these past few years, Reformed Theology, Rick Warren's writings, My Utmost for His Highest... - so much to be thankful for. I loved the years that our house has been filled with Eric, his guitar practices, the short lived piano phase and his made up words and laughter and all the many, many questions.

Now it's time to make a grown up room and watch as the knowledge he has taken in the past few years shape his future and lead him into God's plans for him. So thankful!

Rick arrives early tomorrow

We are all very excited that Rick Muchow will be flying in tomorrow morning from the Saddleback church in California! Pastor Rick Warren will have to lead services out there without him this weekend because he will be with us at Crossroads instead! What a privilege to bring him once again to Crossroads!

I am so thankful for Rick's desire to serve the local church! He will lead us in worship all weekend and then have lunch with the Magnification Department! He blesses our teams so much.

Please plan now to join us this weekend at Crossroads! 1188 Park Avenue West - Mansfield, Ohio. Saturday at 7:00 or Sunday 9:30 or 11:00. All three services are identical!

slipping away

I watch daily as America is slipping away... or is it?

What if instead we are about to witness the greatest return to God and the church that we have ever seen? When times get tough people return to God.

So how bad will it get? Who knows and who cares! If we could all just focus on the opportunity before us, the desperate people longing for what God can give them, well, we wouldn't have time to worry!

The current cover of NewsWeek Magazine reads "The Decline of Christian America". They definitely want us to believe this! Pastor Rick Warren said he found that strange because just this week he spent 5 hours in water baptizing 900 people! Doesn't sound like a decrease to me!

Quite a contrast in opinion, huh? We must be wise, most of all we need to be aware of the lost people surrounding us. We need to quit being surprised that the lost are not honest and seem to be out to 'get' us. Let's be instead, out to 'get' them!

Today in the church office some of the administrative assistants were preparing our New Believers Packets for use over the Easter Weekend. These packets are for those who accept the Lord, or want to know more. The Staff surrounded the packets and prayed for those who will walk through our doors at Crossroads this weekend.

God has chosen some to become His sons and daughters and He wants us to point them to Him. We should not be scared of what is going on around us, because we know we have the message the world longs to hear. The only message that will keep them from slipping away!