As one who speaks before a diverse audience on a regular basis, I find that two questions help me organize my thoughts: What's my point? Why does it matter? If I don't know what my point is, there's a very good chance that my audience won't know what it is either. That seems basic -- but it's often overlooked. The clearer I can be about what my point is, then the clearer my presentation will be. In the end, I also must answer the question "Why does it matter?" Another way of saying the same thing is, "Why does my audience need to hear this?" This is where preaching differs from other forms of communication. How? Because it's not just about information but transformation. The aim of preaching is not to fill the head but to change the heart. Having the right information is important; but if transformation isn't provoked…
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The Top 10 Leadership Principles of Jesus: 1. Leadership is servanthood 2. Let your purpose prioritize your life. 3. You must live the life before you can lead others. 4. Walk slowly through the crowd. 5. Replenish yourself. 6. Great leaders call for great commitment. 7. Show security and strength when handling tough times. 8. Lead on a higher level. 9. Choose your key people. 10. There is no success without a successor. Source: John Maxwell
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I just came across this quote from Ben Franklin and thought I'd pass it along: "He that waits upon fortune, is never sure of a dinner." -- Benjamin Franklin
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When Philip K. Wrigley succeeded his father as chairman of the Chicago-based chewing gum company, he continued the firm's practice of heavily spending money on advertising to create and maintain consumer demand. During an airline flight one day, a seatmate asked him why he continued to spend so much money on advertising a product that was already one of the best-known in the world. Wrigley quickly replied, "For the same reason the pilot of this plane keeps the engine running when we're already 29,000 feet up." (Source: Louis E. Boone, "Quotable Business," Random House). What engine do you need to keep running? For the church to stay in flight, individual believers must stay on mission. Putting in a good word for Jesus is the fuel that keeps the engine running. For a marriage to stay in flight, husbands and wives must work on the little things and deal quickly…
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Have you ever second-guessed yourself? Second-guessed God? Most of us have had a time when we've made a decision ... began living the decision ... and came to a point where we wondered if we made the right decision. In some ways, it may be natural. As finite beings with limited access to knowledge of the future, we make decisions (hopefully) based upon the best available information at hand. In so doing, we recognize our limitations and choose to live with a less than perfect knowledge of what may or may not happen. Second-guessing may be natural and, at times, helpful. If it means we pause to clarify where we are -- contrasted with where we hoped we would be -- then it can be helpful. It may lead to a mid-course correction or lane change. In fact, it may be another way God guides and directs us. At other…
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