15That which is, h already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God i seeks what has been driven away. [1]
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6[†] My people are destroyed v for lack of knowledge; w because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you x from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, y I also will forget your children.
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17[†]Now the Lord [4] is the Spirit, and where r the Spirit of the Lord is, there is s freedom. 18[†]And we all, with unveiled face, t beholding u the glory of the Lord, [5] v are being transformed into the same image w from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
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7[†]But we have this treasure in p jars of clay, q to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8[†]We are r afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but s not forsaken; t struck down, but not destroyed; 10 u always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, v so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
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12[†]Not that I have already l obtained this or m am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: n forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14[†]I press on toward the goal for o the prize of the upward p call of God in Christ Jesus.
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15[†]For this is the will of God, q that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
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a Be sober-minded; b be watchful. Your c adversary the devil d prowls around e like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9[†] f Resist him, g firm in your faith, knowing that h the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10[†]And i after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, j who has called you to his k eternal glory in Christ, will himself l restore, m confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
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5[†]For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith i with virtue, [5] and virtue j with knowledge, 6[†]and knowledge with self-control, and self-control k with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness l with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection m with love. 8[†]For if these qualities [6] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or n unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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1. In the face of insecurity, reassure her. 2. Even after you’ve caught her, continue to pursue her.
For Men Only, Revised and Updated Edition: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women
Shaunti Feldhahn and Jeff Feldhahn
famed marriage psychologist John Gottman
For Men Only, Revised and Updated Edition: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women
Shaunti Feldhahn and Jeff Feldhahn
Being a leader is an unenviable calling. It appears glamorous and glorious—but it is more often lonely and thankless. As we shall see, the best leaders are actually servants.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Traditionalists versus innovators. Some yearn for new, fresh, less-structured approaches to meet the challenge of a more spontaneous generation of participants. Others prefer a fixed philosophy, staying with the status quo, steering clear of fads and ever-changing styles.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
You lead someone to the measure you influence him.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
The late President Harry Truman often referred to leaders as people who can get others to do what they don't want to do—and make them like doing it!
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Throughout his days in office Theodore Roosevelt was either hated or admired. An ardent admirer once exclaimed to him, "Mr. Roosevelt, you are a great man!" In characteristic honesty he replied, "No, Teddy Roosevelt is simply a plain, ordinary man— highly motivated."
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
But rather than racing into the kings presence and saying, "God told me to go back to Jerusalem to build a wall. I'm Gods man!" Nehemiah prayed for guidance. In fact, all through the book you will find Nehemiah asking the Lord for direction.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Take serious inventory of your true condition. Before his project was ever undertaken, Nehemiah was informed and concerned. The first phase was evaluation.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Nehemiah's concern led him to the second phase, reconstruction. He prayed for guidance and correction.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Finally, Nehemiah honestly faced the situation and determined to stay with it until the task was done. The third phrase was perseverance.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Every farmer knows the hunger of the wilderness. That hunger which no modern farm machinery, no improved agricultural methods can quite destroy. No matter how well-prepared the soil, how well-kept the fences, how carefully painted the buildings, let the owner neglect for awhile his prized and valued acres and they will revert again to the wilds and be swallowed by the jungle or the wasteland. The bias of nature is toward the wilderness never toward the fruitful field.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
it's a tough combination to find a person who holds a high position in the eyes of the world and yet who is tender before God.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
1A Leader Has a Clear Recognition of the Needs.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
2. A Leader Is Personally Concerned with the Need.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Let us learn this lesson from Nehemiah: you never lighten the load unless first you have felt the pressure in your own soul. You are never used of God to bring blessing until God has opened your eyes and made you see things as they are.4
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Read verse 13: For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever [notice] for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. Underline in your Bible "he knew" and "he did not rebuke them." Are there times when you know something wrong is going on at your house, but you refuse to be involved in correcting it? We carelessly pull the shades on reason and say, "Well, somehow it's going to work out."
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
The more responsibility we shoulder, the more time we need for contemplation before our Father.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
3. A Serious Leader Goes First to God with the Problem.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Look at how Nehemiah behaved before the Lord. First, he praised God
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
And so it stands to reason that when we go to God in prayer, we put things into proper perspective. I
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Next, in verses 6 and 7, he confessed his part in the problem.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Nehemiah didn't stop with confession. Next, he claimed the promise.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Finally Nehemiah brought his petition or desire before God. His petition was a bold one.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
4. A Leader Is Available to Meet the Need Himself.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
A genuine leader is marked by diligent faithfulness in the midst of a task. And that faithfulness is more than passive inclination. It is demonstrated by being available and personally involved in meeting needs. There is not much benefit in leadership by proxy.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Here are the four shortest reasons I know.prayer makes me wait.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Secondly, prayer clears my vision.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Thirdly, prayer quiets my heart.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Fourthly, prayer activates my faith.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
As a leader, you will come to places where those in authority over you are beyond your power to change. The message God has for you at that point is prayer.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
The presence of faith does not mean an absence of organization.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Nehemiah had a plan. You see, he had been doing more than praying for four months. He had been planning. That in itself was an exercise in faith.He was so sure God would let him go that he even drew up an agenda in case the king asked him how much leave of absence he would need! Proverbs 16:9 says, "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
1. Changing a Heart Is God's Speciality. Do not—I repeat—do not try to change people to fit your specifications.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Praying and Waiting Go Hand in Hand. You have never really prayed until you've learned to wait, and to wait with release.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
3. Faith Is Not a Synonym for Disorder or a Substitute for Careful Planning. People of faith need orderly minds.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
He isn't pleased when we expect Him to spare us the pain of failure when we haven't even considered the cost of success.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
4. Opposition Is to Be Expected When God's Will Is Carried Out. When a person knows he is following Gods will, it is unusual if there is not at least one person who opposes him.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
He (1) realized his own limitations—only God can change a man's heart; (2) turned to God—praying and waiting; (3) organized a feasible plan of action (while waiting for the Lord to answer); and (4) pressed on, despite vocal opposition, to execute the plan—once God opened the way.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
It is not in the rush and the hurry of activity that a person gains the respect of those around him; it is what he does when he is all alone.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
My answer is usually to the point: Do your homework. Be what you ought to be when nobody's looking. D o the job; and do it to the very best of your ability for the sheer joy of glorifying God in the process.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
The individual who is able to stand back—being fully aware of the facts and yet not lost in them—is the one best equipped to lead.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
In order for him to motivate the city planning commission and potential employees, he had to identify himself with the need.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
When you cast blame and criticism, you squelch motivation. When you identify with the problem, you encourage motivation.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Part of the unwritten job requirements for every leader is the ability to handle criticism. That's part of the leadership package. If you never get criticized, chances are you aren't getting anything done.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
God doesn't declare abstract truth from the lips of an angel; He puts truth in real life. Then He brings that life before people, whether it is in business, a Bible class, a group of disciples, a growing Christian school, a mission organization, or a church. He uses imperfect people—clay pots—to display the glory of God.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
You see, the heart of the habitual critic resists change. To him, change is a threat.In any organization, those who are most critical of change are those who are most inflexible.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Every leader must develop the ability to measure the value or worth of criticism. He has to determine the source and the motive, and he has to listen with discernment. Sometimes the best course of action is to respond to criticism and learn from it. Other times, it must be completely ignored.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
If you want to stop an argument, close your mouth.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Critics demoralize. Leaders encourage.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Out of a job? Pray! But hit the road too. Fill out the resume. Make contacts. Get in touch with as many opportunities as possible. The Lord doesn't have any trouble hitting a moving target. In fact, it's easier to steer a moving vehicle than one that is immobile.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
1. It is impossible to lead anyone without facing opposition. The leader must learn to take the heat. He will face opposition—its an occupational hazard of every leader.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
2. It is essential to face opposition in prayer. The first response to opposition must be prayer.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
3. Prayer is not all that is necessary if opposition grows.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually try to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
1. A Loss of Strength.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
2. A Loss of Vision.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
3. A Loss of Confidence.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
4. A Loss of Security.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
1. Unify Your Efforts Toward a Goal.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
I suppose we all get uptight and tense in our work, but workaholics don't make the best leaders. I'll say it again: Take time off once in a while!
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
2. Direct Your Attention to the Lord.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
He took charge. That's a basic job of the leader! The phrase, "Remember the Lord," sounds good, but how do you do it? You can begin by calling to mind the things the Lord has said.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
You can remember the Lord by calling to mind who He is.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
People who are discouraged are thinking mainly about one thing—themselves.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
3. Maintain a Balance in Your Thoughts and Actions.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Do you want to know how to be miserable? Be like the late Howard Hughes; live only for yourself. Use I, me, and my as often as possible. Turn all your love inward. Think only about your own needs, your desires, your wants, your pleasures. Refuse to love and be loved.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
Confess your sin to someone who knows you well and share how you plan to deal with it; or—if God leads you—publicly share your problem and solution with your discipleship group or close circle of friends.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
But there's a test that's even worse than adversity: advancement.
Hand Me Another Brick: Timeless Lessons on Leadership
Charles R. Swindoll
The missing ingredients in most conversations are curiosity and willingness to ask questions to which we do not already know the answer.
Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling
Edgar H. Schein
When the choice is between you or me, look for a way to explore us, the relationship itself.
Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling
Edgar H. Schein
Asking for examples is not only one of the most powerful ways of showing curiosity, interest, and concern, but also—and even more important—it clarifies general statements.
Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling
Edgar H. Schein
Accessing your ignorance, or allowing curiosity to lead you, is often the best guide to what to ask about.
Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling
Edgar H. Schein
These cases also illustrate that Humble Inquiry is not a checklist to follow or a set of prewritten questions—it is behavior that comes out of respect, genuine curiosity, and the desire to improve the quality of the conversation by stimulating greater openness and the sharing of task-relevant information.
Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling
Edgar H. Schein
The world is becoming more technologically complex, interdependent, and culturally diverse, which makes the building of relationships more and more necessary to get things accomplished and, at the same time, more difficult. Relationships are the key to good communication; good communication is the key to successful task accomplishment; and Humble Inquiry, based on Here-and-now Humility, is the key to good relationships.
Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling
Edgar H. Schein
I began to share with Fred the tattered state of my insides. Each time I did, he responded with what can only be described as supernatural love, wholly without judgment, and with perfect clarity, wisdom, and compassion.
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
"Anything mentionable is manageable," he would say, inviting me to share further. Or he would paraphrase his good friend, the Roman Catholic priest and celebrated author Henri Nouwen, by saying, “That which is most personal is most universal.”
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
Bless your heart. I feel so for you—for you all—but, Tim, please know that I would never forsake you, that I will never be disappointed with you, that I would never stop loving you. How I wish we could he closer geographically! I'd get in my car, drive to your house, knock on your door, and, when you answered I'd hug you tight.
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
In fact I'm fairly convinced that the Kingdom of God is for the broken-hearted. You write of "powerlessness." Join the club, we are not in control: God is.
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
"Your wounded heart is a very beautiful heart," Fred wrote to me once in the midst of the Furies. "In fact, it has probably allowed you to understand the hearts of all others who are wounded.' And whose isn't, in some way? Some are just a little more obvious than others.
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
Another time he wrote that he had discovered the South African word ubuntu, which means: I am because we are. "Isn't that lovely!" he said. "My identity is such that it includes you. I would be a very different person without you."
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
"We confess before Thee that if life were all smooth, there would be no patience; were it all easy, no courage, no sacrifice, no depth of character. We acknowledge before Thee that what is most admirable is the child of adversity and of courageous souls unafraid to face it."
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
As is often the case with me, time alone in the brisk mountain air brought healing and clarity. It was then that I realized (once again) that I had mistakenly blamed my wife for my own old wounds. The real issue was not Catherine, or our marriage, but the man looking back at me in the mirror, and I managed to convince my wife of that when I returned to Texas.
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
The Furies are an increasingly distant memory. But with Fred as my friend, I wonder how it could have been otherwise. What demons could withstand such a perfectly and consistently loving assault?
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
L'essential est invisible pour les yeux. ("What is essential is invisible to the eyes.")
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
What is essential is invisible to the eyes. So after a lot of sadness, I began a lifelong search for what is essential, what it is about my neighbor that doesn't meet the eye."
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
Fred always considered it a life-altering relationship, a "liberating friendship." By the time he was a senior, he was president of the student council and editor of the yearbook, "largely because I had somebody who believed in me and wasn't afraid to say so."
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
"With grief there is, inevitably, some times of anger and you know, God can take our anger," Fred said. "I think God respects the fact that we would share a whole gamut of feelings. I'm a real person, I think kids understand that."
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
The tape recorder still lay between us, running, as if to provide a necessary barrier, enforcing the journalistic ground rules. But with Fred, there were no ground rules. There were just two people, two human beings, together. He turned away from the window, looked at me, and smiled sadly.
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
"You're ministering to me, Tim," he said. "By listening you minister to me."
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
The only thing evil can't stand is forgiveness.' Imagine evil disappearing in the atmosphere of forgiveness!"
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan
The answer to your question is "YES" a resounding YES . . . I will be proud of you. I am proud of you. I have been proud of you since first we met. I'm deeply touched that you would offer so much of yourself to me, and look forward to knowing all that you would care to share in the future. Nothing you could tell me could change my YES for you. Please remember that.
I'm Proud of You
Tim Madigan