Speaking the Truth, With Perseverance
September 18, 2019 We have been slowly trying to understand what Paul means to speak the truth in love in Ephesians 4:15. Balancing the desire to love with the need for truth is enough of a challenge for most leaders. But the leadership challenge multiplies when Paul adds 14 distinct characteristics of love in 1 […]
Joseph: The Fulfillment of the Dream
Issue #221, November 29, 2017 The fulfillment of Joseph’s dream is one of the most dramatic and emotional stories in the Bible. After their first visit, Joseph sends nine of his brothers back home and keeps one in prison. Joseph’s father does not want them to return to Egypt but the famine finally forces action. […]
Will Others Follow? A Question of Influence
Issue #209, June 14, 2017 Moses’ first two questions were about identity: his own identity, and God’s identity. His next question was about leadership. “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” (Exodus 4:1). Moses wanted to know if others would follow. How […]
A Sense of Timing: A time to harvest
Issue #204, April 5, 2017 In the last issue we examined when it is time to sow or plant. There is a time to plant and a time to harvest. Every farmer plants with the expectation of a harvest to come. Every leader plants with the anticipation that there will be a time when they […]
A Sense of Timing: A Time to Stay
Issue #191, October 5, 2016 Paul left when his time was up after a short visit in Tyre, but in Ephesus he stayed for two years! Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and […]
David: Following an Insecure Leader
Issue #137, September 3, 2014 David seemed ready to lead! He had a shepherd’s heart, a sense of identity, a clear life purpose, the anointing of God, and a true friend. But God had at least two more difficult leadership lessons that he needed to learn before he was ready for the throne. First, he […]
David: Empowered by the Spirit
Issue #133, July 9, 2014 We have observed David as a young man developing the heart of a shepherd and learning to base his significance on his relationship with God instead of other things. At this point in his leadership journey, he had little idea of what God wanted to do with his life, but […]
Nehemiah: Visions Encounter Opposition
Issue #85, July 4, 2012 The wall was going up brick by brick and the vision was beginning to become a reality. But it wasn’t long before opposition surfaced. When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. (Nehemiah 4:1) Sanballat is soon joined by his friend Tobiah […]
Moses: Leading in Between
Issue #62, August 10, 2011 We’ve looked at Moses’ leadership from many different perspectives as he led through some victories and also tough times. But hidden in the chapters of specific incidents about which we read I find the greatest challenge Moses faced: leading in between. Think about it, for forty years Moses led the […]
Moses: Serving Those Who Won’t Follow
Issue #60, July 13, 2011 The grumbling of the people right after the Red Sea crossing soon turned vicious. First, Moses’ brother and sister who brought him out of the water as an infant complained about Moses’ wife. Then, after the spies brought back their negative report the entire community grumbled and threatened to choose […]