Thinking of where to eat?

The Law of Victory

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John Maxwell

Chapter Fifteen

The Law of Victory

This law exemplifies the principle of faith to me. I see that someone who has an attitude of faith will achieve victory more times than not. Victors will not even embrace the concept of defeat. Losing is not an option. To those of us in the church world we struggle to maintain an attitude of victory even when we are all taught that Jesus has given us the sure victory. Why do we do that?
I think partly because we really don’t believe in what we are called to do. If we are truly called to make Jesus known in our community, area and the world then why do we all insist on doing our own thing? As Adam was not meant to be alone and God gave him a helper we too are called to share and help implement vision. Not all of us are called to be visionaries some of us are called to put vision into action. To put feet on the body of what has been birthed in another. Now I am not saying that we don’t have vision. We all have vision. However vision that is self centered is not of God. God given vision will bring victory.
So in order to put this law into practice we must be unified in our vision, recognize that we all bring something to the table and that God has appointed a point person that is sold out to making that vision a reality.
If we don’t see that as true then maybe we are looking at or through the wrong vision. A person that has his or her own vision will bring DI-Vision. We all know that anything with two heads is not normal. It’s the same with vision. Maybe we are in the wrong place. Maybe what is envisioned is not for this location at this time. Folks know when to hold em and know when to fold em!
In summary keep your eyes focused on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith. He will bring a sure victory that no one will ever be able to take away from y

The Law of Buy In

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John Maxwell

Chapter Fourteen

The Law of Buy In

Sometimes it is about you. I know that seems to go against every scriptural principle that we here at Journey Church are for. However when it comes to leadership it has to be about you. As the chapter unfolds it seems that the example that was given showcased Gandhi. Gandhi stressed non-violent acts to get his point across. Prior to his arrival the Indian people had their own way of doing things. He actually changed their minds by being the example that caused people to want to follow him and his leadership.
So how do I relate that to my own leadership in ministry? I am glad that you asked. It’s by being the kind of leader that people would naturally (organic) be drawn too. I would have to show people that I care and that I am a person just like them. I have to have a credibility that is not conjured up, spiced up or splashed on. As I have said before I have to be a real person. When I am attempting to forge a new relationship people will smell out a fake, a hypocrite. So in dealing with them I will have to set the highest example in several areas. Honesty is at the top of the list. Lying or false speech will leave a mark; a mark that will not easily go away. Jesus called that bad trait guile. The bible says that Jesus had no guile in Him. If that were the case then why would we want something that He spoke against?
Most people want someone that they can “buy into”; someone who will offer them the tools to be successful in their own visions; someone who will help and develop them. People, like sheep have to be led where they need to go not just where they want to go.

Some thoughts?

I have chosen not to blog as much as I used to in the beginning.
I really am not sure why.
I love to read and I put my thoughts together pretty good. (When the Ginkgo Biloba kicks in!)
So why not continue to write?
Maybe in this season in my life it is time to buckle up and enjoy the ride that He has placed me on.
Maybe it’s because I am focused on seeing His Kingdom established in our community.

Has my ride been bumpy? Sure.
Has my ride been cloudy? Sometimes.
But this I do know. I am committed to seeing a true New Testament church flourish in the garden He has placed me in.

Some of you have been placed here in this garden with us too.
Do you know what you are called to do?
Do you want to know?

One thing though, you are not called to sit under a shade tree in the garden.
Get up and get moving. Night may be upon us sooner than we want or expect.

It’s a big garden. We are all needed.

Okay ’nuff for now.

Caio

The Law of Picture

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John Maxwell

Chapter Thirteen

The Law of Picture

It is very interesting to note that this law is called “The Law of the Picture”. Most people when they think about a picture it conjures ideas in their imaginations of what something will look like. The concept here in this law is the same. When people look at their leader they automatically have a mental picture set into their heads. The unfortunate thing however is that once that image is there it may be very hard to remove that image if it is a bad one.
For myself as a leader I have to paint a very real picture of what I look for in a leader. I have to be the example that will inspire them to follow. If I don’t do it how can I expect someone else to? Bottom line is again that I have to lead by being a good example. In the chapter John Maxwell said a leader would have to exemplify both visionary and practical qualities. So I have to have vision that will let those following me to see what is coming and what has to be done. Why do I do what I am doing? What is the purpose? What am I doing? Do I articulate the picture rightly for all to understand and see? How do I get there? Do I have a plan? Do I work the plan? People need to see that I am not just sitting around drinking coffee and doing anything. Anybody can dream, but not everyone can see that dream come into reality. He said it well, “Vision without action will achieve nothing”.
Another thing I will have to note is this; if I want to see change then I must first be willing to change. I must see the picture first. If you see the picture ask this question are you willing to change?

The Law of Empowerment

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John Maxwell

Chapter Twelve

The Law of Empowerment

You would think after 27 years as a law enforcement officer I would get this one the easiest. As a Deputy I was empowered from the day I took the oath to serve and protect (sounds kinda Dragnet huh?) that I was empowered by the state and more specifically the Sheriff to act on his behalf. That is the law of empowerment in its simplest terms. I carried a badge, the outward symbol of his authority and a gun the symbol of power. I acted as him in all matters relating within his scope of authority. He took a chance on me and many others like me to do what was right.
Now lets look at from the standpoint of team ministry. If I as a leader in this house do not release those around me to act like me in matters then what have I accomplished? We as leaders and me right now need to have the security to release others to do what they are called to do. Pastor Michael has empowered me on several occasions to act on his behalf. He has built me up, given me resources, responsibility and the authority to act. He has learned as we should all that if insecurity is running rampant in our lives then we will only hit the wall and stop, hard. It is never about us it’s about Him and His purposes for His church and us.
The greatest example we can see of this law is Jesus and the 12 disciples. Jesus poured into them all He could in 3 ½ years then gave them authority to act. 12 men empowered by Jesus that would impact the world. If we would implement this into our everyday life can you imagine what the world would be like?

What do you think?

The Law of The Inner Circle

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John Maxwell

Chapter Eleven

The Law of the Inner Circle

It’s funny that there are 21 laws yet it’s also funny how they interact with each other. As such this law basically states that we can do nothing great by ourselves. So I see that it is vitally important to surround yourself with people that can make a difference, a difference that actually will compliment who you are. Let’s face it we all do not have it all. All of us lack something. So it’s important first and foremost to recognize that and to locate those with traits that we are weaker in and act accordingly.
When I first came to Christ, I felt that I was to do it all by myself. That I was to be like all those guys who seemed to have it all together. Little did I realize that they also put into practice the law of the inner circle. As time went on I finally realized that I could live up to the expectations that I had placed on myself. God had been trying to get me to see what team ministry was all about. I even received the Word of the Lord letting me know what true team ministry was about. In ministry as well as life in general there are no Lone Rangers. Lone Rangers in the real world will get hurt and hurt those around them if left unchecked. Hurt in ways that can scar individuals, families and churches for life. So each of us needs to invest some time in gathering to ourselves those who will make a good person a great team member.
In closing I want to list the primary trait that I would look for n a team member. I would look for someone who is motivated to invest in himself or herself. A person not willing to learn and better himself or herself will stunt not only your growth but also the teams. It’s not enough just to see potential. We would want to develop that potential into something of value first to the team and of course for His Kingdom.

The Law of Connection

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John Maxwell
Chapter Ten

The Law of Connection
This law teaches me that as a leader I have to find a point where I can connect with someone. There is always at least one point where we can see eye to eye. Sometimes that connect point is obvious and sometimes it isn’t. However if we continue to probe we can find the common ground. That is one reason that I like to project to those that I meet that I am approachable. I feel that people need to know that you really do care about them. That I just don’t sit in an office or on the front row on Sunday mornings apart from everyone else. I am who I say that I am, a real person with desires, problems and sins just like they are.
As I was leading the Odyssey group on Sunday mornings I could see that men were connecting with me, They could see that I was not just a staff pastor but that I was someone really concerned about them, their families and their walk with Christ. As time went on bonds strengthened so that relationships were forged to the point where we could talk about anything. The interesting thing about getting to that point is that I believe that they knew that I was not judging them. I would never condone sin but that I would actually love them just as they were.
In closing here are the six keys to connection as I see them.
➢ Be real. People will always smell out a fake. Be who you are. Use the personality that God gave you for His Glory.
➢ Invest some time with others. Build a relationship but don’t go crazy and stalk them.
➢ Be approachable. Don’t think you are something when you are not. (First key!!)
➢ Have respect for where they are. They will respond in kind. If it is a closed handed issue show them love and the Word. If it’s an open handed issue love them.
➢ Believe in them. Faith is a powerful force. People will know if you have faith invested in them.
➢ Don’t be superficial. Really give people a reason to see why you have faith in them.
Show people you care about them as individuals not as a person in a seat and the end result will be individuals who will charge hell with a squirt gun along side of you.
That’s all for now.

Caio

Wanted to ramble

These last couple of months have been very intense. A great deal has happened. Our church opened a PreSchool on Aug.3rd and God has been giving the increase. To only Him can we give praise. Thank you Lord!
Our church, Journey Church has undergone a transition from a place to a community. I mean a place of community where we are all learning to maximize our effectiveness to spread His Love, His Word so that people far far away from Christ can actually, I mean actually know Him. My pastor while on a sabbatical was given a revelation that we as a church body need to be healthy so we can do what God wants us to do. As related in last weeks message our soil is tainted. Tainted with so many things that it is no wonder our mustard seeds of faith can’t grow. We seem to continue to place ourselves in the mix. The mix doesn’t need us. We need Him period.
My own leadership continues to be tested as I have to step up or get out of the way. Things really are bigger than we think and we all have a part to play. Our level of maturity has to grow so that as examples we lead others to the desire for Him. Is it hard to “bump”? Yes, but it’s needed for all of us to be shaken out of our slumber or for some a drunken stupor to what He wants. I have always used John 3:30 but do I really mean it when I say I have to decrease so He can increase?
Do we really want to see His Kingdom come?
Do we really want Jesus to have His way?
Do we really want people to know Him?

I know this is hard but the fruit we bear doesn’t say that. I love the fact that the greatest sermon I will ever preach is the one I preach to myself as I pick up His Cross and walk the same road He walked. It really is about sacrifice. Can we step up our level of sacrifice just as Jesus our ultimate example did?

I know it was a ramble. I said that in the header. So just think and pray on these things.
Caio

THe Law of Magnetism

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John Maxwell

Chapter Nine

The Law of Magnetism

I have often wondered why some people click and some people don’t. The Law of Magnetism fully illustrates this principle. As we progress in our individual life visions we will naturally pull people to us that are like-minded. Like-minded in the sense that they seem to act, see, feel, speak and unfortunately even look like you. (One of us just got insulted Al!) Seriously though as a leader I will attract those to whom my gifts and call will build. For that matter I may be attracted to someone more gifted in areas than I am. It is almost a natural thing for us to want to fill the holes in our own leadership makeup. Now as a leader looking at it in the natural, positives and negatives do not normally attract. So if I have a negative attitude I will attract negative people and vice versa. Remember the old saying, “Attitude is Everything?” Well it is true. The same goes for other traits like background, values, and energy, giftedness and leadership. As John Maxwell said if you are not crazy about the people that you attract and think you are stuck, you aren’t. That is where the rest of the laws play. We can change some things about our skill level. We can read, listen, and interact so we can learn. It’s all about investing in us. It is never too late to better us. God has given us more opportunities to do so if we would just recognize it and act.