Welcome to the Truth@Life Blog Site by Curtis Songer


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There are 5 threads of thought in this blog site:
1. Church Stuff - things pertaining to the evangelical Christian Church of today
2. Leadership Corner - concepts on management & leadership
3. Two Becoming One - principles of marriage enrichment
4. Train Up a Child - principles of parenting
5. Personal Thoughts - my mental ramblings on how God is growing me

I highly recommend you find an entry on one of these topics that interests you and click on that label at the end of that entry. It will bring up all the entries on that particular category. And be sure to check out the great web site links in the lower right corner of this page - Enjoy!

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Leadership Qualities: Purpose & Passion

Because He (God) loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them; and He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 4:37-38

Moses’ speech encourages the people to realize their purpose and calling. This great leader reminds his countrymen of God’s faithful provision and imparts to them a sense of destiny.

When leaders project passion for their vision, they create an atmosphere of expectancy among the people. Moses created at least three such atmospheres for the Jewish people:

1. A sense of destiny: Moses communicated a sense of God’s call on Israel’s future, a future they were destined to fulfill.

2. A sense of family: Moses convinced the people they would enter the land together; cooperatively they could accomplish the vision.

3. A militant spirit: Moses called the Israelites to do whatever it took to enter the land; they needed to pay the price to get the job done.

Is there something you need to do today to instill a greater sense of purpose and passion in those you lead?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Friday, March 30, 2012

Leadership Keys to Success: Character & Momentum

We took all his cities at that time; there was not a city which we did not take from them: sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
Deuteronomy 3:4

In Deuteronomy chapters 3 – 5, we see two ingredients for a series of masterful military victories. One was the character of the leadership. The second was Leadership Principle of Momentum: once the team starts winning, nothing seems too big a barrier to additional success.

To ensure this new generation entered the Promised Land with solid moral guidelines, Moses repeats the commands he gave earlier in Exodus chapter 20. Former General Norman Schwarzkopf put it this way: “Leadership is a potent combination of character and strategy. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.”

In addition, momentum is a leader’s best friend. After defeating he Amorites, the Israelites came to Bashan. God told them to attack. Having tasted military victory already, they didn’t hesitate, and once again they triumphed. This led to the defeat of 60 cities in the region. Success breeds success.

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Moses & The Leadership Principle of the Inner Circle

Moses speaking to the people of Israel: How can I alone bear your problems and your burdens and your complaints? Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.
Deuteronomy 1:12-13

The people closest to us determine our level of success. Moses learned this lesson in the wilderness and implemented a plan to put competent, godly leaders next to himself. Leaders must judge themselves not only by what they can do; their value depends also on what they can get done though others.

Moses teaches us that leaders must:

1. See the land – Vision: Moses saw and reminded everyone of the Lord’s faithfulness. God would fulfill His promise. Moses could clearly see the outcome, and he motivated others by his vision.

2. Share the load – Delegation: Moses chose to set his ego aside and share his leadership responsibilities with others. He would give them both the responsibility and authority to do the work; the tasks now became a team effort.

3. Select the leaders – The Inner Circle: Moses chose his inner circle from among the spiritually qualified, approved, and appointed according to their abilities.

4. Structure the Leadership – Organization: Moses established a system in which the leaders were to listen fairly, administer boldly, make decisions based on principles, and refer the most difficult cases to him.

Have you appropriately selected and empowered your inner circle? If not, why not begin today?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Leadership Quality of Self Discipline: Growing on the Inside (part 2 of 2)

These are the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Numbers 33:1

Continued from part 1…

We must make progress on the inside before we can make progress on the outside, because the journey of growth and success is first an internal one. The first person you lead is you – and you can’t lead effectively without self-discipline.

In the last blog on this topic I explained the first 2 of the five action points to follow if you want to be a leader with self-discipline: First, develop and follow your priorities. Second, make a disciplined lifestyle your goal. In this blog, I will cover the next 3 of the five:

3. Challenge your excuses. Challenge and eliminate any tendencies you may have to make excuses. If you can name several reasons why you can’t be self-disciplined, realize that they are really just barriers to you success – all of which need to be challenged if you want to go to the next level.

4. Remove rewards until you finish the job. If you lack self-discipline, you may be in the habit of enjoying the dessert before eating your vegetables. Just like reward systems in a business, you can’t reward the shirkers and the workers equally. If you are not being productive and making disciplined progress, you can’t reward yourself yet.

5. Stay focused on the results. Any time you concentrate on the difficulty of the work instead of the results, you are likely to become discouraged. The next time you are facing a must-do task and you’re thinking of doing what’s convenient instead of paying the price, change your focus. Count the benefits of doing what’s right, and then dive in.

How is your self-discipline? Which of these five action points do you need to begin to emphasize in your life immediately?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Leadership Quality of Self-Discipline: Growing on the Inside (part 1 of 2)

These are the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Numbers 33:1

We must make progress on the inside before we can make progress on the outside, because the journey of growth and success is first an internal one. The first person you lead is you – and you can’t lead effectively without self-discipline.

If only the Israelites had practiced this quality. Numbers chapter 33 provides a review of the entire exodus journey from Egypt to Jordan. And what a journey if was! Tons of manna. Lots of grumbling. And 40 years in duration to cover a distance that could have been accomplished in a few short weeks!

Why didn’t the Israelites get to the Promised Land more quickly? Obviously not because it was so far away. The real reason was an issue of attitude and preparation. The people simply weren’t ready for God’s blessing until 40 years had elapsed.
How about you? How is your self-discipline? Plato said, “The first and best victory is to conquer self.”

If you want to be a leader with self-discipline, follow these five action points:

1. Develop and follow your priorities. All leaders are pressed for time, but the successful ones have a plan (and stick to it!). If you can determine what a priority really is and release yourself from everything else, it will be much easier to follow through on what’s important. That’s the essence of self-discipline.

2. Make a disciplined lifestyle your goal. To be successful, self-discipline can’t be a one-time event. It has to become a lifestyle. One of the best ways to nurture such a lifestyle is to develop systems and routines, especially in areas crucial to your long-term growth and success. Once you have them, put them to use every day for the rest of your life.

To be continued…

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Monday, March 26, 2012

The Pinnacle of Leadership: A Leader’s Legacy is Developing the Next Generation of Leadership

And you (Moses) shall give some of your authority to him (Joshua), that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
Numbers 27: 20

Of all the wonderful ways Moses expressed his leadership, the most strategic had to be his training of Joshua, who was destined to become the key element of Moses’ legacy. Joshua became the leader who would complete the task of leading the people into the Promised Land. This successful handoff resulted from Moses’ personal life example, from intentionally equipping Joshua, and from Joshua’s own hunger and giftedness.

Moses passed along his authority, abilities, and anointing to Joshua. He gave Joshua his time, his insight, a learning environment, an opportunity to prove himself, and a strong belief in his future. Because Moses spent the time necessary to equip Joshua, his dream of Israel entering the Promised Land came to pass even though he did not personally see it happen.

Consider the following three ways in which Moses passed along his legacy to Joshua:

1. Moses empowered Joshua and gave him authority. When the time came, Moses laid his hands on Joshua and publicly commissioned him. He gave Joshua part of his authority. Joshua received positive recognition, a leader’s approval and acceptance, and Moses’ expression of faith in him. After Moses died, no one questioned Joshua’s leadership.

2. Moses gave Joshua experience and opportunities for application. Joshua’s apprenticeship went beyond the merely cerebral or passive; Moses and Joshua did more than talk over coffee. The apprenticeship involved hands-on experience. Moses shared his life and his responsibilities with Joshua by allowing him to prove his leadership as a spy, as a military commander, and as his personal assistant.

3. Moses gave Joshua encouragement and affirmation. Moses repeatedly affirmed his young protégé by taking him along on excursions exclusive of anyone else. They shared a unique intimacy, almost startling considering the difference in their ages. Moses encouraged his apprentice both through his words and his time.

Are you currently training the next generation of leadership? If not, why not? If so, what can you apply from Moses’ example to your methods of mentoring?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Leadership Qualities: Discernment – Balaam Just Didn’t Get It (part 2 of 2)

Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me…”
Numbers 22:34

No leader can enjoy success very long without developing a healthy sense of discernment. Lack of discernment nearly got Balaam killed. He did not discern the Lord’s presence. He even confessed his lack of discernment. God said the prophet would surely have been killed had it not been for his discerning donkey. When he finally realized his peril, Balaam had to feel both ashamed and embarrassed. It is one thing to lack discernment; it is another for your donkey to possess more than you do!

Unfortunately, many leaders today suffer exactly this plight. Many factors conspire to keep us from discerning the needs of the moment. Consider some common factors:

1. An unrelenting schedule leaves no room for listening.

2. An important agenda fosters a stubborn heart rather than a sensitive one.

3. A type-A temperament makes it difficult to slow down and discern.

4. A strong task orientation leaves little time for people or spontaneity.

5. We often desire to solve spiritual and emotional problems with external answers.

Do you want to hone your leadership skills? Then make it a priority to pray for greater discernment. Listen for and interpret the root causes of the challenges you face. Consider your gut reaction to others, but also tap your mind. Discernment takes both godly intuition and intellect.

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Leadership Qualities: Discernment – Balaam Just Didn’t Get It (part 1 of 2)

God’s anger was aroused because Balaam went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
Numbers 22:22

Balaam has borne the brunt of many a joke. He was the prophet that lacked so much discernment that it took a donkey to sense the presence of a threatening angel and to bring the terrible danger to his attention. Balaam lacked both discernment and intuition about what was happening around him.

Note the following five observations about Balaam’s error:
1. Balaam angered God because he disobeyed what he knew to be right.
2. It took the Angel of the Lord standing in the way to stop Balaam. Yet he could not discern the Angel’s blockade.
3. Balaam’s own agenda so consumed him that he whipped his donkey for responding to the Angel.
4. God enabled the donkey to speak when Balaam still didn’t perceive his danger. The donkey discerned more than Balaam and interpreted reality for him.
5. It took a divine miracle for Balaam’s eyes to be opened.

No leader can enjoy success very long without developing a healthy sense of discernment. How discerning are you?

To be continued…

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Friday, March 23, 2012

Balaam: A Man-Appointed Leader who Fails to Observe the Principle of Buy-In

God’s anger was aroused because he (Balaam) went, and the Angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him.
Numbers 22:22

Man-appointed leaders often claim to receive their calling from God, but their authority actually derives from human sources and not from the Lord. Eventually the truth becomes clear to everyone.

In the book of Numbers, chapters 22 – 24, we see an example of a man-appointed leader. At the suggestion of King Balak, Balaam son of Beor, tried to curse Israel for profit. But the Lord would not allow it.

King Balak was a strong leader with the wrong vision. Balaam was a much weaker leader, but he had the right vision. The two men blended like oil and water. Optimally, the right leader must be in place, with the right vision. People generally must buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.

The following principles will help you to discern man-appointed leadership from God-appointed leadership:
1. It issues from human ingenuity rather than God’s anointing.
2. It often reveals self-serving motives.
3. It devises plans that oppose what God is doing.
4. It blinds the leader to God’s intentions.
5. Its goals eventually fail because they oppose the work of God.

Is your leadership man-appointed or God-appointed? Do you see the fruit of God-appointed leadership in your life?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Hungry Anyone?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6

Nothing satisfies like a good meal. Imagine the fulfillment of anticipating a great dinner with friends, and it turns out to be as good as you imagined! When you finish the dessert and the last cup of coffee, you push back your chair and relax with your friends. You’ve been “filled” in every way.

A fine dinner with good friends is the perfect imagery for the satisfaction we experience when we hunger and thirst for God and His purposes. Hunger and thirst are not aberrations in life; they are, in fact, a normal cycle and actual signs of life. When we long, desire, and want the things of God, our hearts fill with His wisdom, love, and peace.

Jesus makes a point of saying that we experience real satisfaction when we long for righteousness. Righteousness in our lives isn’t somebody’s arbitrary list of do’s and don’ts. Instead, it is a sign of our passion to please God in everything we say and do. If we care that much about God, we won’t have to worry about the details.

What do you hunger and thirst for – pleasing yourself of pleasing God? How would it change your life if you realized that true satisfaction comes only from a deep desire to please God?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Profiles in Leadership: Balaam – Good, but not Godly

King Balak speaking to Balaam: “Please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
Numbers 22:6

One good trait does not a godly leader make – a maxim proven by the life of Balaam. In one way, this Midianite prophet demonstrated good leadership. When Balak, king of Midian, tried to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites, the prophet declared he could speak only what God told him. And in the end, Balaam actually blessed Israel three times.

Yet the balance of Scripture denounces Balaam. Joshua chapter 13 tells us he practiced soothsaying, an activity condemned by Leviticus chapter 19. Both Deuteronomy chapter 23 and Joshua chapter 24 strongly imply that Balaam asked God for permission to curse Israel. And the New Testament uses Balaam as an example of those who have “forsaken the right way and gone astray”. It also states, “he was rebuked for his iniquity”. Although God would not allow Balaam to curse Israel, apparently the sorcerer suggested a way for King Balak to remove God’s blessing on the Jewish people. Balaam taught Balak to “put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”

Balaam finally met his demise when, by God’s command, the Israelites killed him along with all the other Midianites. And so this soothsayer died at the hands of the people he had tried to curse for personal gain. Like Balaam, are you ever tempted to sacrifice your morals for personal gain? If that doesn’t change, how do you think God will deal with you?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Leadership: Are You Proactively Responding or Reactive?

Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
Numbers 20:11-12

We learn something invaluable about leadership at the expenses of Moses in Numbers chapter 20. By this point in the wilderness journey Moses felt unendurably weary of the people’s complaining, the stagnation, and the lack of progress among the people. He was running on empty. And in his weakened condition he made a decision that cost him his future.

Moses was directed by God to speak to a rock in order to get water for the nation. Instead, in anger he struck it (as he had done before). He reacted in fury rather than responding in obedience with poise, and for his disobedience he was barred from entering the Promised Land.

This sad incident teaches us several valuable lessons. First, never make a major decision during an emotionally low time. Make decisions in your peak times, not in valley times. Second, don’t presume what worked before will work again. Third, never compromise your obedience to God so that you will look better. Fourth, don’t fail to trust God to complete what He began. Fifth, choose to be proactive (to respond), not reactive in your leadership. Don’t let your mandate come from the grumbling of the crowd. Get your cues from God and the mission He has given you.

Ask yourself these questions:
1. Am I a reactor or a responder when I lead?
2. Do I play defense of offense when I lead?
3. Am I a people pleaser of a God pleaser when I lead?
4. Do I control my calendar, or does someone else dictate where I spend my time?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Lame Leadership Awards

See chapters 12 – 24 for examples of these “Lame Leadership Awards”

The book of Numbers offers many great illustrations of “Lame Leadership”. Here are just a few of the acts of indiscretion, foolishness, lack of judgment, poor choices, and just plain old sin:

1. Korah: See the two prior blogs on this topic. Korah recruited two buddies and 250 henchman to stage an insurrection against Moses. The result was that they all perished when God caused the earth to open up and “swallow” them.
2. The prophet Balaam: King Balak paid Balaam to put a curse on Israel. God interceded, even to the point of giving Balaam’s donkey and human voice to reason with him. The result was that God rebuked Balaam.
3. Balak: King Balak thought he could buy his way into success. He paid Balaam to curse God’s people, hoping his plan could override God’s sovereignty.
4. Miriam and Aaron: Moses own sister and brother decided they wanted a bigger piece of power. The result was that Miriam got a case of leprosy and were humbled.
5. The ten fearful spies: These ten men led their clans. They had witnessed God’s provision. Yet they turned cowardice at the edge of the Promised Land. The result was they destroyed the faith of the people and caused them to wander in the desert for 40 years.
6. Moses: Even Moses had his share of bad days. Once, in a fit of anger, he disobeyed God and struck a rock twice. The result was that he forfeited his right to enter the Promised Land of Canaan.

We all have bad days. But do you ever see a pattern in your leadership that could be interpreted as “lame leadership”? What is your area of weakness that needs to be addressed?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Self-Appointed Leadership: Moses Diffuses Korah’s Rebellion

Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.
Numbers 16:31-33

Two kinds of false leaders emerge within organizations: man-appointed leaders and self-appointed leaders. Balaam was a false leader of the first kind. Balak persuaded him to do something that God rejected, and the Lord rebuked Balaam for his arrogance.

Korah was a false leader of the second kind. Author Frank Damazio writes: “A self-appointed leader takes upon himself the authority and responsibility of a spiritual office to which he has not been divinely called.” Korah blatantly and arrogantly rebelled against Moses.

In self-will and presumption, Korah followed a process of self-appointment common to many who illegitimately pursue power:
1. He caused others to rise up against existing leadership.
2. He publically criticized and questioned existing leadership.
3. He accused leadership of what he himself was guilty of.
4. He despised as too little the position to which he had been given – he wanted more.
5. He continued to murmur, complain, and create a negative atmosphere.

Not surprisingly, God always rejects false leadership. He rebuked Balaam and he put Korah to death. Such leadership lessons might seem harsh, but they last.

Do you aspire to greater authority than you have been appointed? Is there a change in behavior and attitude that you need to make here?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

A Leader Never Walks by a Mistake

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16

General Norman Schwarzkopf, the commander of operations for Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990s, exercised this simple premise of authority: A leader never walks by a mistake.

I think he's got a point, not only in how to lead a military unit, but also in how we raise our children. Martha and I have often talked about how much easier it would be to ignore our children's shortcomings. We naturally wish to avoid the discomfort of confronting and correcting their selfish, sinful ways.

Some parents default to a soft, indulgent love, thinking their kids will grow up fine on an exclusive, pain-free diet of praise and permission. But the concept of "reproof" that Paul used in the above certainly suggests pain. "Reproof" means pointing out a wrong, bringing someone to a place where he or she can admit what he or she has done. And there's nearly always an element of pain involved in doing that.

Yet as writer James Litter has said, "One thought driven home is better than three left on base." That's really your assignment as parents: Drive home the key issues that need to be laid bare and exposed if your children are going to finish growing up. You must help them embrace these lessons while they're young so that they won't have to learn them in a much more painful way later on as adults.

Our culture today is rushed and weary. You may have so much going on that it's difficult to slow down and address a defect in your child's character. But if you've taken on the mantle of parenthood, you've also taken on the responsibility of bringing occasional pain into the life of each of your children - even as painful as it can be on you as a parent.

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Friday, March 16, 2012

Profiles in Leadership: Korah – An Illegitimate Desire for More

…You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!
Numbers 16:7

Korah, a talented but insolent Levite, had been set apart to serve in Israel’s worship of the living God. His important position gave him both prestige and respect within the nation. Yet he rebelled against Moses and the Lord, thus illustrating the tragic flaw of many leaders – a desire for power and authority beyond what God has ordained.

Korah’s personality and persuasive speaking abilities earned him the backing of 250 other leaders. Yet his desire for more led to the demise of his followers and their families. Leaders with rebellious hearts always wreak havoc in the lives of those unwise enough to follow them.

Godly leaders must be willing to submit themselves to those in leadership above them. Many who hold leadership positions based on their strength, acumen, and personality find this difficult to accept. Yet willing submission at one point may very well qualify a person for greater leadership responsibilities down the road.

The Scriptures make it clear that God places people in authority, and it is dangerous to oppose God’s anointed. Korah did just that in a classic act of rebellion, and God had to remove him and his followers in order to keep their spiritual plague away from the rest of the nation.

Are you seeking more responsibility than God has allocated to you at this time? Who do you need to be in submission to?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The Leadership Principle of Influence: Joshua Expands His Reach (part 2 of 2)

They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”
Joshua 1:16

Many individuals who at first seem ineffective as leaders give up. Fortunately for the nation of Israel, Joshua did not give up. He determined to become a better leader. Despite his setback, Joshua continued to be faithful to God and to learn as much as he could from Moses. As a result, Joshua’s influence and capability as a leader grew: 1. Because of his relationship to Moses. 2. With maturity. 3. Because of timing. 4. Because he possessed patience and integrity. 5. Because he was right.

Joshua’s influence grew because of his relationship with Moses. Through Moses’ mentorship, Joshua not only polished his skills, but the people accepted him as their leader. The Bible says that as Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses called Joshua and said to him in front of all of Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.” In this way, Moses imparted authority to Joshua.

Joshua’s influence grew with maturity. Joshua gave basically the same speech he gave forty years earlier. The difference? The second time a mature Joshua spoke to a new generation. The people had seen his leadership skills in action, and his track record as a leader gave them the confidence to follow his directions.

Joshua’s influence grew because of timing. Sometimes a leader wields little influence until his followers want to go somewhere. Only when the Jews tired of wandering in the desert did they heed the words of Joshua. Forty years earlier, the people responded to Joshua’s encouragement for them to go into the Promised Land by loudly suggesting that he be stoned. This time they said, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”

Joshua’s influence grew because he possessed patience and integrity. Joshua continued to grow patiently even after the people rejected his words. While neither he nor Caleb died in the wilderness, as did all those who had rebelled against God, nevertheless they were both forced to wander in the desert for forty years through no fault of their own. Such an “unfair” turn of events could have turned Joshua into an angry, melancholy, disgruntled, and cynical man. Yet he became none of those things. Throughout the long wilderness journey, he continued to display great consistency and credibility – until at last the people were ready to follow.

Joshua’s influence grew because he was right. From the beginning, Joshua tried to do the right thing. He attempted to lead the people in the right direction. After the Exodus from Egypt, most of Israel considered his words as foolhardy and rash – yet
Joshua’s words stood the test of time. His message never changed, and eventually everyone saw that he was right.

Leadership is all about influence, and Joshua demonstrates that influence comes down to character and conviction, lived out where others can see it, over a significant period of time. How are you doing on this journey of expanding your level of influence?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Monday, March 12, 2012

The Leadership Principle of Influence: Joshua Expands His Reach (part 1 of 2)

Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.
Numbers 13:2

Among the twelve spies that scouted out Canaan, only Joshua and Caleb believed that the Israelites could take the land. Joshua urged the people to move forward, but his influence could not sway them. Despite having the title and position of leadership, at this juncture of his life, Joshua had not matured into a place of great influence. Even though he was right, he couldn’t persuade the people to follow. They didn’t look to him; instead, they followed the other ten spies.

Joshua’s success would eventually grow in proportion to his leadership, but he needed time to deepen his influence. Moses personally mentored him, and eventually Joshua became the obvious leader to take the Israelites into the Promised Land.

There are five precepts of a leader’s influence to be learned from this passage: 1. True leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less. 2. Leaders do not possess the same amount of influence in every area. 3. Leaders’ influence can be either positive or negative. 4. Faithful leaders use their influence to add value. 5. With influence comes responsibility.

Leadership is influence. The true measure of leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less. Therefore, we are all leaders. Joshua came face-to-face with the true nature of leadership when he failed to influence the people to follow his lead. His leadership position and title as tribal leader did nothing to help him influence others.

Leaders do not possess influence in every area. Those selected to spy out the Promised Land were “every one a leader”. That means that Joshua was a leader with some influence, but his influence apparently didn’t outweigh that of the other ten leaders.

Our influence is either positive or negative. You will influence others - whether you want to or not – either positively or negatively. If all twelve spies had given a positive report of the Promised Land, the people of Israel would likely have obeyed God and crossed over into the land. But influence is a two-edged sword; it cuts both positively and negatively. The ten unfaithful tribal leaders used their influence to lead the people astray – a disaster for those leaders and for all of their followers.

Faithful leaders use their influence to add value. Influencers who lead out of a desire to advance their own agendas manipulate the people for their own gain. That’s what the other ten spies did. Their fear prompted them to use their influence to frighten Israel. They lied, claiming the land “devours its inhabitants”. On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb desired to motivate their countrymen to do what would benefit everyone – always the agenda of great leaders.

With influence comes responsibility. Maybe the ten unfaithful tribal leaders didn’t want to start a rebellion, yet that’s exactly what they did. Following their negative report, the people sought to depose Moses and Aaron and return to Egypt. As a result those ten leaders died of plague, and all of their followers also died in the desert.

To be continued in a subsequent blog…

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Leadership Qualities: Positive Attitude – The Ten Spies vs. the Two Spies (part 2 of 2)

Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”
Numbers 13:30-31

Continued from yesterday…

The only difference between those that delivered the majority and minority reports was internal (their perspective or attitude). Their differing reports reflected contrary attitudes toward the land, the divine promises, the people in Canaan, the work involved, God, and themselves. The majority disobeyed God, believed the land had no future, displayed cowardice based on fear, utterly ignored God in their report, and suffered from an inferiority complex. The result was that these ten naysayers spread anxiety throughout Israel’s camp. Their rotten attitudes infected the whole nation until the spiritual contagion could not be contained. Notice who got blamed for the nation’s response, “Our brethren have discouraged our hearts saying, ‘The people are greater than we’”. Through the negative majority report, this ancient commission deprived nearly two million people of their inheritance in Canaan. Through their poisonous influence, the Israelites were driven back into the wilderness to die, and God delayed in fulfilling His purpose for His chosen people for 40 frustrating years.

If only they had listened to the minority report! Consider their vastly better attitude: they obeyed God, insisted they should enter and possess the land, displayed courage rooted in faith, felt calm assurance, and saw themselves in relationship to God. The result was Caleb and Joshua stayed alive for a new era, while the other ten spies perished in the wilderness along the rest of the adults of that unbelieving generation.

Attitude makes all the difference. The development of a positive attitude is the first conscious step toward becoming an effective leader. Successful leadership cannot be constructed without this crucial building block. Take to heart the following seven attitude axioms exemplified by the words and actions of Joshua and Caleb: 1. Our attitude determines our approach to life. 2. Our attitude determines our relationships with people. 3. Our attitude is often the only difference between success and failure. 4. Our attitude at the beginning of a task will affect its outcome more than anything else. 5. Our attitude can turn problems into blessings. 6. Our attitude can give us an uncommonly positive perspective. 7. Our attitude is not automatically good just because we belong to God.

How’s your attitude? Is your thinking stinking? Do you need a check-up from the neck up?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Leadership Qualities: Positive Attitude – The Ten Spies vs. the Two Spies (part 1 of 2)

Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way into the South, and go up to the mountains, and see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; whether the land is rich or poor…
Numbers 13:17-20

As Israel approached the Jordan River, Moses sent out twelve spies to investigate the Promised Land. One spy from each of the twelve tribes of Israel entered Canaan, explored the land, and returned with a report. All twelve had the same external experience. They all had the following similarities: 1. All were leaders in their tribes. 2. All received the same promise. 3. All received the same opportunities.

But the conclusions of ten spies differed markedly from the other two. Joshua and Caleb were in the minority, but they happened to be right. What could account for the differing opinions? The majority said don’t go, they misunderstood their mission, and their view of God was tainted by outward circumstances (they limited Him). The minority said go, they understood the mission, and their view of God was independent of outward circumstances (no limitations).

After their return, the majority (ten) of the spies displayed a horrible attitude about the whole endeavor. It’s not hard to see why. You can’t find trust in God anywhere in their report; they don’t even mention His name. Their sour disposition, pessimistic perspective, and negative report spread like a plague throughout the Israelite camp. They prevailing attitude became focused on “there are giants in the land and there is no way we can enter and possess it.

Although Joshua and Caleb took the very same trip and saw the same things witnessed by the other ten spies, they returned with an enthusiastic, positive report. They never doubted the Israelites could take the land. They based their glowing report on God’s track record with their nation through the desert. They freely admitted the obstacles, but knew nothing could stand in the way of God. They came back saying, “Yes, there are giants in the land, but they’re midgets compared with our God. We can take them and the land – and the land is everything it was promised it would be.”

Do you have a tendency to limit God by focusing on the circumstances? Or do you see circumstances as things under the control of an Almighty God who can easily manipulate them to accomplish His plan?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Friday, March 9, 2012

Leadership: Criticism & Confrontation Come with the Territory (part 2 of 2)

Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.
Numbers 12:3

Leaders can bank on two truths. First, they will be criticized. Unhappy people tend to attack the point person, the leader. Moses’ own family criticized him. Second, criticism always changes the leader.

In an earlier blog, we saw six responses God teaches us for handling criticism. In this blog, I reveal a comprehensive biblical approach for believers to manage criticism. Consider the following ten ways leaders should handle criticism:
1. Understand the difference between constructive and destructive criticism (who benefits?).
2. Don’t take yourself too seriously, but take God very seriously.
3. Look beyond the criticism to see the critic (Do you respect him/her? What is his/her need?)
4. Guard your own attitude toward the critic; don’t get defensive, stay objective.
5. Recognize that good people get criticized, so don’t beat yourself up.
6. Keep yourself physically and spiritually in shape (Weariness distorts our perspective).
7. Don’t see only the critic; also see the crowd (Is the criticism widespread?)
8. Wait for time to prove the critic wrong (Be mature enough to be patient).
9. Associate with people of faith (Spend your optional time with optimists).
10. Concentrate on your mission; change your mistakes (Focus on the big picture).

We will all face criticism as a leader at some point in our lives. Many do on almost a daily basis. Are you currently facing criticism concerning your leadership? How are you doing in responding to the situation?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Leadership: Criticism & Confrontation Come with the Territory (part 1 of 2)

Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.
Numbers 12:3

Leaders can bank on two truths. First, they will be criticized. Unhappy people tend to attack the point person, the leader. Moses’ own family criticized him. Second, criticism always changes the leader.

From Numbers chapter 12, God teaches us the following six responses for handling criticism:
1. Maintain your humility.
2. Face the criticism head on.
3. Be specific about the issues.
4. Lay out consequences.
5. Pray for the criticizers.
6. Restore them when appropriate.
In a subsequent blog, I will lay out a more comprehensive biblical approach for believers to manage criticism.

We will all face criticism as a leader at some point in our lives. Many do on almost a daily basis. Are you currently facing criticism concerning your leadership? How are you doing in responding to the situation?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

The Imperishable Crown

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it… Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25


The Apostle Paul was very familiar with Greek culture, including the Olympic games. In this particular passage, he used the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life. Finishing the race wasn’t good enough for Paul. He wanted to win his race, and he wanted to inspire all of us to win our races too.

Athletes in ancient Greece were incredibly popular, just as athletes are today. They trained, worked, and labored under their coaches’ instruction for one purpose: to be the one standing on the podium, wearing the wreath of a champion. Everything in their lives was subjugated to that purpose, and everything was evaluated by how it contributed to, or detracted from, winning the race. Dedication, intensity, passion, and focus were the traits of athletes who strove to win, just as they are for athletes today.

Paul encourages us to run with the same fierce dedication to winning our race. We honor Christ with everything we are and everything we do. But our reward is different. God will not look you over for medals, diplomas, or wealth amassed. He will look you over for the people you have positively impacted and how well you have fought the fight and endured the trials of life. The day after the race at the Olympic games, the wreath had already wilted, but our wreath is imperishable – lasting for all eternity. Christ died so that you might win at this game of life and live with Him forever.

Some rewards don’t mean much because we didn’t work hard for them. The imperishable crown of victory we win for following Christ, though, matters because it is dearly won. Is the imperishable crown worth fierce dedication in your life? How are you doing on your journey toward winning the race? What needs to change to finish well?

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Fixing the Leadership Crisis – One Leader at a Time

No one would deny that we have a leadership crisis in America today. It exists in most all spheres of our society: government, business, the family, and even the church. There is a lack of leadership in government. Few would agree that we have the proper leadership we require to turn this country and its economy around. Instead we have politicians who are more concerned about reelection than about making and implementing the difficult (and likely unpopular) decisions required to set things back on the right track.

There is a lack of leadership in business. Due to ever increasing global competition and cost reduction pressures, there is a disturbing, growing trend of authoritative, tyrannical leadership styles in the workplace. This style is short-sighted, lacking vision, and not focused on making the longer term investments necessary to ensure the next generation of leaders are being appropriately groomed now. As a result, many work environments have become dominated by management that manipulates the workers through stress and fear.

There is a lack of leadership even in the Church. Far too many pastors, priests, and teachers have adopted a style of compromise. Some have become fearful of proclaiming the truth for worry of offending someone. In addition, in the spirit of cultural relevance, some have fallen back on the use of worldly gimmicks (e.g., come to the special event and win a iPod). And some have become inwardly focused on feeding their congregations from Scripture without encouraging them to exercise what they have been taught by serving others in need. And we all know where overeating without exercise will get you!

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is a lack of leadership in the home. These same workers, who spend 10 - 12 hours per day in the work environment described above, come home exhausted mentally and physically – in no shape to actively engage with their family members and to lead their families in dealing with the many issues that face the modern-day family in our society. And even if mom/dad did have the energy, the 10 – 12 hours of constant beat-down at work weakens them. They find it difficult, if not impossible, to immediately shift gears and become the resilient servant-leader their family needs when they walk through the door of their home.

So clearly, we have a leadership crisis. Statistician George Barna asserts the most critical problem facing society today is the leadership vacuum that grew during the Twentieth Century and remains a glaring problem. John Maxwell, renown author on leadership, believes that all chance for success rises and falls on leadership. More than anything else, the leadership of any group or organization (including families) will determine its success or failure.

But how does this impact you? Leadership is simply positively influencing and impacting others – nothing more, nothing less. If you are responsible for influencing the lives of people in your workplace, in your family, in your church, or in your community, you are a leader – and you need to optimize your leadership skills. One of the most important leadership principles is the principle that, “Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness.” That is key when working with others. Greater than resources, money, talent, or intelligence, leadership makes the difference when it comes to making an impact. Consequently, the key to increasing your effectiveness is to increase your leadership ability. If you desire to have an impact on others and to leave a lasting legacy, you must become a person of influence – a leader.

Where do most people go to learn leadership? The answer to that question today is that they search in many places. Some examine the world of politics. Other seek models in the entertainment industry. Still others turn to the world of business. Most people seem to look to successful CEOs, management consultants, and theoreticians with Ph.D.s to learn about leadership. But the truth is, the best source of leadership teaching today is the same as it has been for thousands of years. If you want to learn leadership, go to the greatest book on leadership ever written – the Bible.

When studied with the appropriate guidance and focus, the Bible has the potential to change your life and the course of your development as a leader. Leadership principles have been woven into it by the One who invented leadership. There are at least 22 leadership principles and 21 leadership qualities dealing with over 80 leadership issues in the Holy Scriptures. Who could possibly teach us more about leadership than God Himself. Combined with the teachings and illustrations of the Bible, I have combined the content of 20 of the greatest works from 10 of the greatest Christian and business authors, to compile a faith-based leadership development curriculum.

I am inviting you to be a part of this remarkable opportunity. Currently forming are small groups focused on studying this curriculum of faith-based leadership principles. Local groups will meet in person. For those who are not able to meet in person, virtual groups are also forming that will meet by phone and online. I will merely be your humble guide and facilitator. We will all learn from God, His servants, and each other. If you are interested, please email me at curtis.songer@gmail.com or call me at 248-396-6255 and I will provide you with more information. As I have stated before, in all my experience as a teacher, coach, and mentor, I have never seen such a powerful course of study, that could assist such a broad group of people (remember, we’re all leaders), at a time of such urgent need.

If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Leadership Principle of Empowerment: What do Potential Leaders Need?

The Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.Numbers 11:16-17Our culture has blinded us to the call for leaders to equip people to serve and lead – to raise up the next wave of leaders. This has led to a leadership crisis in America that I fear is only going to get worse. Numbers chapter 11 demonstrates that equipping people to lead and serve is God’s idea, not man’s. Leaders are to identify, prepare, and release teams to work. God left no doubt about how Moses was to train the seventy leaders he had selected. In Numbers chapter 11 we see the answer to the question: What do potential leaders need? God says they need: 1. Authority – bring them, that they may stand there with you. 2. Anointing – I will take My Spirit and put the same on them. 3. Ownership of the vision – the Spirit that is upon you will be upon them. 4. Responsibility – They shall bear the burden of the people with you. 5. Specific roles – place them around the tabernacle. 6. To express their gifts – they prophesied. 7. A secure shepherd who will release them to succeed - Moses.Only secure leaders give power to others. Your people’s capacity to achieve is determined by your ability to empower. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.”Are you training and equipping the next wave of leadership? Or are you micro-managing them (meddling) once you give them an assignment? Are you giving credit where it is deserved or are you pushing others down to elevate yourself? If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Monday, March 5, 2012

Profile in Leadership: The Seventy Elders – Sharing the Burden of God’s Anointed

I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now…Numbers 11:14-15We don’t know a lot about the seventy elders Moses called to aid him. Scripture does not name them, nor even mention which tribes they represented. What we do know is that they were officers and elders of the people; perhaps all or most were among the “rulers of the thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens” selected in Exodus. More than likely they were older men who had gained influence and respect among the people. The Old Testament mentions the seventy elders only twice, both times to witness God’s presence, power, and glory. But the second time the elders were called, God expands their role. This time, they are not only to witness, but to participate – thus revealing something remarkable about how God works with leaders. “I will take of the Spirit that is upon you,” God told Moses, “and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not have to bear it yourself alone.”When a leader, called by God, has a burden that becomes too great, God provides help…if the leader will ask for it. Not only will the Lord provide helpers to share the load, He will anoint them with His power, just as He did the seventy elders of Israel. Is there a burden you are carrying that you simply need to ask God for help with? What’s keeping you from asking? If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

The Paradox of Life

Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.Philippians 2:2-4The paradox of life is that by giving, we receive; by sacrificing, we gain; and by putting others first, we feel fulfilled. Some people get it: It’s not all about us. Newborn babies certainly don’t have much success or many skills to offer, but they give their mothers and fathers tremendous joy. Employers who celebrate their people’s successes more than their own reap the joy of their employees’ smiles and greater productivity, the natural product of feeling affirmed. One of my favorite motivational speakers has a saying, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want”. Sound selfish? Not if you approach this with the correct motivation. As the Scripture above suggests, we can only experience this paradox when we start at the right point: “lowliness of mind”. Thinking properly about ourselves if the first step. Instead of selfish ambition to achieve status, we feel secure in God’s love. Instead of conceit that we’re better than others, we value others highly. Some people confuse humility with shame, but humility doesn’t mean we despise ourselves and demean our abilities. Instead, it means that we see our abilities as gifts from God to be used to build others up and accomplish His purposes. As we see all we have and all we are as gifts from God, we can stop promoting or defending ourselves, and we can focus our attention on others around us. Their needs become important to us. That’s how Christ lived, and as we walk with Him, that’s how we’ll live too.Why, do you think, are most people (including many Christians) so self-focused? Do you need to be less self-focused? What would it take for you to begin living this paradox today? How would it improve your relationships with others and with God? If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Sunday, March 4, 2012

The Leadership Principle of Sacrifice: Nazirites Must Give Up to Go Up

Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord…Numbers 6:2Through the vow of the Nazirite, God provided a way for both men and women to specially consecrate themselves to the Lord for a particular time and purpose. Leaders such as Samson made this vow, corpse. They gave up certain rights or options in order to live at a higher standard – in other words, they practiced the Leadership Principle of Sacrifice. They did so, not to stand in judgment of others, but to discipline themselves against the temptation of the day. The following four applications of this principle applies to today’s leaders: 1. Indulgence – the discipline to prevent addiction (e.g., alcohol & drugs). 2. Image – refusal to allow popular fashion and trends influence you. 3. Integrity- the commitment to remain pure in mind and body and to pursue a holy standard. 4. Trust – reliance upon God and others to advise, lead, and direct you.The Principle of Sacrifice requires that a leader be willing to serve the needs of others before his own. This requires flexibility to adapt to what is best for the cause, the organization, and/or the greater good of those he/she is leading. A leader must give up to go up. The higher he/she rises the more responsibilities he/she must accept and the fewer personal rights he/she can maintain.As a leader, are you willing to make the necessary personal sacrifices to leave a lasting legacy of lives that were positively impacted? If you receive value from these blogs, please consider donating to keep this blog site up and running. This ministry cannot continue without the generous donations of its readers. Just click on the "Donate" button in the upper right. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Saturday, March 3, 2012

The Leadership Principle of Navigation: Planning & Structure

Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, every male individually… Every one of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father’s house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting. Numbers 1:2 & 2:2 Counting and organizing the wandering tribes of Israel was a mammoth job. That’s exactly what Aaron and Moses had to do. Israel’s leaders broke down the huge assignment into many smaller elements, using the tribes, clans, and families already in place in Hebrew culture. Next, Moses methodically arranged the tribal camps in the wilderness. He set the tabernacle in the center and arranged the priests around its four sides. Then he symmetrically distributed the Twelve Tribes around the priests and Levites, with three tribes on each of the four sides. Planning and structuring requires the following: 1. Plan to plan – Give time for planning and organizing. 2. Determine your primary purpose – What’s the big picture? What are you trying to do? 3. Assess the situation – Understand where you are before trying to develop a strategy. 4. Prioritize the needs – Make sure the team agrees on the most important goals. 5. Ask the right questions – Examples: Ask about market, leadership, revenue, reporting, and evaluation. 6. Set specific goals – Write goals that are realistic, measurable, convictional. 7. Clarify and communicate – Communication links planning and implementation. 8. Identify possible obstacles – Mentally work though all you are trying to pull off and all the possible roadblocks. 9. Have an open system approach to your planning – Be aware of, and responsive to, your environment. 10. Schedule everything you can – Get things on the calendar and set deadlines. 11. Budget everything you can – Determine both the costs and timing of expenses. 12. Monitor and correct – Measure progress and constantly adjust your course. 13. Study the results – Evaluation prevents stagnation and exaggeration. The Leadership Principle of Navigation states that good leaders create order out of chaos. Good leaders develop excellent plans. They try to plan for every detail. This is one of the few ways in which a good leader is like a good manager. Remember, anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a real leader to chart the course. Do your words, your plans, and your actions lead your people toward the vision? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

The Problem with Money

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on My throne, as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:21 Early in John’s account of his revelation from Christ, he tells of Jesus’ observation of and directions for the seven churches. Some were following Him with integrity and faith, but some were struggling. The believers at Laodicea had some problems. Was it persecution for their faith? No. Were they suffering from economic hardships? No. Had they experienced the devastation of a natural disaster? Not at all. Christ tells them that He is not pleased with them because they are spiritually apathetic. What was the source of their apathy? These “believers” were so wealthy that they didn’t feel the need for God. Instead of seeing their riches as gifts from God and using their wealth to help others, they spent it on themselves. Jesus looked beneath their superficial riches into their hearts. He told them they were actually “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”. The solution was to turn to Him for forgiveness and to change the direction of their lives. God allows difficulties into our lives so that we may overcome them. For some, poverty or addiction or physical illness or tragic accident or natural disaster. For others, it’s the burden of wealth. Some of the wealthy lack insight about where their wealth came from or how to use it. Their “strength” is actually their weakness. God calls all of us to trust Him in overcoming the problems in our lives, but those who are rich face the added difficulty of realizing that wealth can be a hindrance to vibrant faith. Has wealth been a hindrance to you following Christ? What would repentance and overcoming look like to you? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com

Friday, March 2, 2012

Decisions & Consequences

If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Leviticus 26:3-4 Leadership, like life, is the sum total of the decisions we make. Every decision has consequences. We decide how we will respond to people. We decide how large to make a budget for marketing and advertising. We decide whom to hire. We decide where to focus our time and attention. We decide which values are worth going to the mat over. Toward the end of Leviticus, God lists the blessings He offers to those who obey Him and the punishment they’ll receive for disobedience. God, the Ultimate Leader, clearly outlines the consequences for His people’s choices. Leaders who make poor decisions, frequently suffer the following ten consequences. They: 1. Lack commitment. 2. Suffer from a scattered focus. 3. Make excuses. 4. Miss the big picture. 5. Too often go public with private thoughts. 6. Settle for “good enough.” 7. Behave inconsistently. 8. Have poor relationships. 9. Avoid making the necessary changes. 10. Don’t take God’s direction seriously. Are you suffering or benefiting from the consequences of the decisions you have made? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Honesty with God

You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. Psalm 30:11 King David’s life was far from the life of ease we picture a king having. He dealt with enemies who were attacking him, poor health, and discouragement and hopelessness. In this psalm, he recounts a time when he felt especially depressed because, just after he bragged about doing so well, it seemed God had abandoned him! But David didn’t stop looking for God. He cried out to Him, and eventually, God turned his life around. Even a casual reading of David’s psalms, shows us that David wasn’t afraid of being honest with God. Over and over again, He poured his heart out, sometimes in praise, but often in complaints that God seemed to be mistreating him or abandoning him. It has been said, “Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces.” David understood this and frequently voiced his concerns to God. In almost every painfully honest psalm of David, we read in the end about God’s resolution and relief. The lesson for us is clear: God wants us to be honest with Him. He doesn’t want us to be “plastic” Christians who always put on a happy face. David’s example is that only through gut-level honesty, exposing our hurts and hopes to God, we can find Him. In this psalm and in many others, David doesn’t tell us when or how the answers came. He just tells us they did come, and that’s all we need to know. He delights in turning our morning into dancing, but first we have to trust Him enough to be completely honest with Him. Is it easy or hard for you to be genuinely honest with God? What are some things in your life right now that need to be turned from mourning into dancing? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Leaders Need Time to Rest & “Sharpen the Axe”

Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. Leviticus 25:3-4 In Stephen Covey’s best-selling business book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, he describes a concept called “sharpening the axe”. In summary, this is the idea that we all need to take time to invest in ourselves and hone our skills if we want to continue to be effective leaders and productive in all spheres of our lives. In Leviticus 25 we find this principle practiced for God’s people and their land. Every seventh year was called the Sabbath Year. These special years called for special behavior. God’s people were to stop their usual behavior, alter their daily routines, and change their normal existence. Consider the following 5 lessons leaders can learn from this practice: 1. They gave the people a time of rest – God said these special years were time for resting the land and their lives. 2. They gave the people an opportunity for reflection – These years were considered holy, recognized as a gift from God. 3. They gave the people time for reward and repair – As a reward for obedience, God would supply all their needs, giving them the time to sharpen their axe. 4. They gave the people time for relationships – Everyone was to prioritize people over material gain. 5. They gave people the time to refocus – God reminds His people that they are His servants and He is their Lord. Are you taking the necessary time to sharpen your axe? Do you allow your people time to do the same? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com 

Shut My Mouth!

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23 One of my favorite sayings is, “I have never had to apologize for something I did not say.” This principle, reemphasized in the verse above, is one of the most empirically obvious in God’s creation. Scripture often repeats principles most often that we, as humans, inherently have the most difficulty following. Most of us still need remedial classes to learn the lesson of when to keep our mouth shut. How many times do we roll our eyes and think, “How could I have said something so stupid?” We can keep our souls from trouble – the trouble that comes from others tormenting us for hurting them or from nagging guilt from saying dumb things – only if we actively guard our mouths. Here are five commonsense suggestions that can change your life in this area: 1. Every morning ask God for wisdom about your words. 2. Before any significant conversation, take a minute to define your goals. Also, identify any topics or issues to avoid or treat diplomatically. 3. Watch out for any temptation to use sarcasm to get a laugh. 4. In conversations, be aware that words can kill or cure. If you feel emotions rising, take a deep breath and don’t let your words fly. 5. From time to time, give yourself a progress report on how well you’re guarding your mouth. For all of us, learning a new skill takes time and effort. And for some of us, the learning curve for guarding our words is really steep. Still, the peace of mind and joy of relationships are worth the effort. Think for a moment, in what specific kinds of situations does your mouth get you into trouble? What steps will you take today to guard your mouth. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com