"striving together for the faith of the gospel." -Phil. 1:27
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Category Archives: Leadership

Pujols: More Than The Game

Pujols: More Than The Game by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth has been a fascinating and enjoyable read over the last few weeks as the 2011 MLB spring training is getting started. This 229-page book does a great job of uncovering Albert Pujols’ childhood days in the Dominican Republic to his MVP seasons in the Major Leagues.

Throughout the book the authors show you just how great Pujols is compared to many other talented athletes in the MLB. The statistics can become very heavy at times. However, any avid baseball fan will thoroughly enjoy them.

In between writing about Albert Pujols’ baseball career the authors did an outstanding job at uncovering his personal, spiritual, and social life:

Personally: Throughout the book you will find that Pujols works hard to achieve what he has on and off the field. He really cares about his wife, Dee Dee, and his children along with assuring that he plays baseball with integrity.

Spiritually: There are several chapters dedicated to Pujols’ Christian faith in Christ alone for salvation and how that has influenced him in his family life as well as playing at a professional level. Christian athletes will greatly benefit on how Pujols views life, sports, and eternity.

Socially: Because Pujols is a Christian and strives to obey the great commission, you will read about his burden for down syndrome people and the foundation that he established to reach out to them. Anyone who spends time interacting with young people will appreciate their sacrifice and efforts.  

On a personal note, I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who are Christian and who like sports.

[Please note, while it did not affect my review of this book, I received this book for review purposes at no charge from BookSneeze.com.]

Jethro’s Advice

Being a leader is never a simple task. There is always planning to be done, projects to develop, and communication lines to keep open. There are many blessing in being a leader. Casting a vision, implementing new ideas, and seeing the fruit of your labor!

Moses was the leader for the children of Israel and he had many responsibilities to God and the nation of Israel. He was the one who constantly asked Pharaoh to release Israel from slavery, he was the “go to man” when the Israelites were hungry and thirsty, and he was responsible for hearing and judging all the daily disputes. Wow! Talk about pressure!

On top of all that, Moses didn’t have John Maxwell, David Allen, or Stephen Covey to turn to or read their leadership books or attend their organization seminars. (These men do write and speak very well on this topic and have very helpful tips and advice for all types of leaders).

What did Moses do?!! He turned to Jethro, his father-in-law! Turn to Exodus 18. Jethro came for a visit and after the “hi, how are you?” he quickly noticed that Moses was overwhelmed by deciding on people’s matters and disputes. Moses was doing this all day (“morning to evening”) and everyday by himself (v.13).

Jethro questions Moses about this tremendous workload (v.14) and then gives some awesome advice (v.17-18) on how to be an effective leader that is still valid for leaders today!

Effective Leaders Listen (v.19-20, 24) – Moses carefully listened to and practiced Jethro’s advice and it worked! Effective leaders must be humble and teachable. It’s very easy to “dig your heels in” and not allow anyone to help you. Leaders who insist doing everything themselves won’t last long. Leaders who listen will endure.

Effective Leaders Delegate (v.21, 25) – Moses went out and enlisted qualified men to help in with this daily task. We would call this delegation. Effective leaders are always searching for and recruiting qualified people to help them carry out tasks. Why? Because this allows you to get more done as well as train others. Proper delegation isn’t laziness or an unwillingness to do certain tasks; it’s just a tool that includes other people’s talents and abilities.

Effective Leaders Enable (v.22) – Moses appointed these men to their designated areas and trained them to oversee. Effective leaders just don’t delegate and then abandon. They take time to lay out expectations, responsibilities, and resources. Behind every solid leader there is a group of trained followers.  

Effective Leaders Assist (v.22, 26) – After Moses recruited these men to serve he didn’t go sip lemonade by the Red Sea and cruise on his camel all day! He was still involved; he was still meeting the needs of the people just more effectively and without needless stress. He was available for counsel on hard matters (v.26). Effective leaders stay involved and keep their sanity!

Jethro’s Advice is still helpful for today. If you are willing to install these principles into your leadership roles you will establish longevity (v.23), make a greater impact (v.25-26), and appreciate your in-laws (v.27) (I threw that last one in :-)

Photo Above taken by: CELALTEBER (www.sxc.hu)

Book Review: Respectable Sins

Respectable Sins – by Jerry Bridges: Not many books are published to address the sins we as Christians have come to tolerate, and in some cases deemed “acceptable.” The first 6 chapters the author tackles the topic of sin and the power of the Holy Spirit and then moves to vividly expose a cluster (14 to be exact) of specific “respectable sins” we have become accustom to such as, jealousy, worry, discontentment, ungodliness, frustration. Then he concludes by admonishing the reader that he or she can have victory in this battle over “acceptable” sins. Take the time to read this short and straight-to-the-point book. It will be highly beneficial in your walk with God.  

The Ministry of An Earthworm!

Jesus, during His earthly ministry, said in Mark 10:42-45, “But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Most of us are familiar with earthworms, those things that pop up from our lawn or show up on the sidewalk after much rain. Did you know earthworms are created with microscopic bristles to help it crawl through the soil? Many times we overlook these creatures as unimportant, but they play a vital role for our soil. They prevent it from compacting, they assist nitrogen and water reach plant roots, they help vegetable matter to decay and increase those good bacteria that further enrich the solid for plant growth. Earthworms are very important! A lot of the wonderful vegetation we see today would not be possible if it was not for those slimy earthworms faithfully performing their role behind the scene.

Being a servant for our Lord Jesus Christ is along the same lines. There is much taking place behind the scenes by faithful brothers and sisters in Christ that yields fruitful ministry at your local church. Have you ever thought about who cleans the restrooms before the Sunday morning worship service? Who prints the bulletins? Who maintains and updates your church’s website? Who puts the juice in those little communion cups? Who locks up the church building after everyone has left? Who changes the air filters throughout the facilities? Who maintains and cleans the church van or bus? Who fills the tract rack? Who takes cares of the landscaping at your church? Who houses the missionaries when they stop for a visit? Who takes time to greet first time visitors? Who runs the sound system? Who organizes the nursery ministry? Who counts the offering? . . . and the list goes on and on.

Have you ever stopped to appreciate the “earthworms” in your church ministry? Those people who faithfully and obediently serve behind the scenes. Did you know they keep things moving forward, they provide health to the ministry, they further enrich the local church ministry to the community, and they are faithfully laboring so that the gospel ministry continues to go forth?

I would like to recommend you do two things:

1. Encourage an earthworm! Take some time and personally thank or encourage someone in your local church for their behind the scene ministry (regardless if they are paid to do it or not!). Write them a note, send them a text or email, or go visit them. Do something that will exhort them to keep pressing on!

2. Become an earthworm! Without a doubt your church ministry has thousands of needs and things to be done. Get involved and start being an earthworm that will enhance the life of your church ministry.

John 13:13-15, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

Philippians 2:5-8, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

*Photo above taken by: RPT_Andy

KFC and the Christian Life!

I love modern day examples that illustrate spiritual truth! Recently Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has been concerned about their logo identity and history with younger generations. Their marketing department is afraid that the current generation has lost connection to Colonel Harland Sanders, the goateed founder of KFC, who is known for his white suites and string ties. He would have turned 120 years old this past Thursday (9/9/10).

According to a survey performed by KFC, more than 6 out of 10 Americans ages 18-25 – the fast food chain’s key demographic – couldn’t identify him in the KFC logo! Further research discovered that 5 in 10 believed he’s a made-up icon and 3 in 10 didn’t have a clue who he was! They are even wondering if most kids know what the initials “KFC” stand for!

Their spokeswoman Laurie Schalow stated, “As time has gone by, the younger generation didn’t get to see and experience him like others generations did. We plan to celebrate the fact that our founder was a real person.”

Therefore, KFC, the world’s largest chicken chain (15,000 outlets in 109 countries), is taking clever action to introduce their founder to a generation that is clueless about the chain’s icon. They have launched an online PR blitz aimed at bringing the current generation eye-to-eye with the once well-known colonel. KFC is using its Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, website, and other sources of media to introduce them to Colonel Harland Sanders.

Now, you may be thinking, what does this have to do with spiritual truth? How does this apply to my life today? What can I learn from this?

The problem that KFC is facing today is a lot of their own fault. They didn’t take the time to create the plans and make a diligent effort to educate up-and-coming generations about their founder (till now). Therefore, they are reaping the consequences and have to do some backtracking and generate ways to revive their colonel’s prestige to the public.

If we as Christians don’t make a careful effort to introduce and teach our Founder, God Almighty, to future generations there will be much confusion about who He is, what He has done, and what He will do.  If you are a Christian parent you must diligently teach the ways of God to your children (Deut. 6:1-9). Parenting is the agency that God has established to teach future generations on how to love, obey, and serve Him. What an awesome, but sobering responsibility!

Regardless of your role in life, let’s learn a lesson from a modern day fast food chain that is now paying the cost for neglecting to teach the importance of their founder to younger generations. Let’s not make the same mistake in our homes, churches, families, and communities. Let’s plan and strive to keep the Lord Jesus Christ a centerpiece in our lives so younger and future generations know who He is (Gen. 1:1), what He did on the cross (1 Cor. 15:1-4), how He has the power to save (Rom. 10:9-13), and why we must surrender our lives to Him (Rom. 12:1-2).