Integrity

Integrity [noun]

Strong's Complete New Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Pub, 1996, #8537, 8538 -

From Hebrew: tom/tummah- completeness, prosperity (usually moral); innocence, perfection, simplicity, uprightness

www.dictionary.com

1.

adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

2.

the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preservethe integrity of the empire.

One who walk in integrity will be safe,

but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.

Proverbs 28:18

-In Him

Chazown

Our next book journey will be with author Craig Groeschel. We will walk through his Chazown. [pronounced khaw-ZONE]

Before we go any further, let’s talk about this Hebrew word, Chazown. The ch is not like in English [does not make the sound as in chalk]. The correct sound is make with a hacking-like sound in the back of the throat [like you are hawking and about to spit]….Cha-ZOWN.

Cha-ZOWN means dream, revelation, vision.

In the book, Groeschel uses a spiral symbol for Cha-ZOWN ... “It stands for the energy, focus and creativity that are released when you pursue your personal vision.”

Can you guess what this book is about?...

Reference: Groeschel, Craig. Chazown. Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, CO. 2006, 2010.

A Quote From John C. Maxwell

Learn to say 'no' to the good so you can say 'yes' to the best.

-John C. Maxwell

Lowly At Heart

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;

for I am gentle and humble at heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

It seems that it should be easy to be gentle and kind…

But it can be so hard

Of course, it is easy when things are our way- when we are feeling good, when everyone is doing what we want and saying what we want to hear and living in a way acceptable to us.

But what happens when we do not agree?

What happens when we are annoyed, angry, frustrated?

What happens when we are being criticized or corrected?

Are we still sweet and gentle and kind and lowly?

Or, do we deviate from that path, making excuses for ourselves?

The only way to tell the truth is to speak with kindness.

Only the words of a loving man can be heard.

~ Henry David Thoreau

In HIM

Judging Others

Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.

For with the judgment you make, you will be judged,

and the measure you give will be the measure you get.- Matthew 7:-2

How often do we focus on others' shortcomings more than our own? How easy is it to disguise our judgment in a holy robe of 'standing up for Christ' or 'speaking the truth' or 'showing tough love to someone?'

True. There are times when the Holy Spirit will nudge us to do that. But- more often than not- we should focus more on the log in our own eye before trying to point out or get out the speck in someone else's.

Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye,

but do not notice the log in your own eye?

Or, how can you say to your neighbor,

‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye,

and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.

Matthew 7:3-5

Jesus tells us to remove the log in our eye- and THEN we can see clearly to deal with the speck in another's.

But do we ever get all the logs from our eyes?

And, if we do- there will certainly be specks left;

the specks are never completely gone…

At least one speck will ALWAYS be there.

“Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

…When they heard it, they went away one by one…

John 8:7,9

In HIM.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - Conclusion

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership [John Maxwell] - Conclusion

Maxwell reminds us that, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” He notes that anything we do in life [most things, surely] involve other people. When ‘other people’ are involved, leadership is necessary in order to take the group, the plan, the vision where it needs to go.

Remember:

· Personnel determine the potential of the organization.

· Relationships determine the morale of the organization.

· Structure determines the size of the organization.

· Vision determines the direction of the organization.

· Leadership determines the success of the organization.

We should take time to know and understand the Laws, apply them to ourselves with honest and regular reflection and evaluation, and teach and share them with others.

The 21 Laws:

1	The Law of the Lid:	Leadership Ability Determines a Person's Level of Effectiveness.
2	The Law of Influence:	The True Measure of Leadership is Influence- Nothing More, Nothing Less
3	The Law Process:	Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day
4	The Law Navigation:	Anyone Can Steer the Ship, but It Takes a Leader to Chart the Course.
5	The Law Addition:	Leaders Add Value By Serving Others
6	The Law Solid Ground:	Trust Is The Foundation Of Leadership
7	The Law Respect:	People Naturally Follow Leaders Stronger Than Themselves
8	The Law Intuition:	Leaders Evaluate Everything with a Leadership Bias
9	The Law Magnetism:	Who You Are Is Who You Attract
10	The Law Connection:	Leaders Touch a Heart Before They Ask for a Hand.
11	The Law of The Inner Circle:	A Leader’s Potential Is Determined By Those Closest To Him
12	The Law of Empowerment:	Only Secure Leaders Give Power to Others
13	The Law of The Picture:	People Do What People See
14	The Law of The Buy In:	People Buy Into The Leader, Then The Vision
15	The Law of Victory:	Leaders Find a Way for the Team to Win
16	The Law of The Big Mo:	Momentum Is a Leader’s Best Friend
17	The Law of Priorities:	Leaders Understand That Activity Is Not Necessarily Accomplishment
18	The Law of Sacrifice:	A Leader Must Give Up To Go Up
19	The Law of Timing:	When To Lead Is As Important As What To Do And Where To Go
20	The Law of Explosive Growth:	To Add Growth, Lead Followers; To Multiply, Add Leader
21	The Law of Legacy:	A Leader’s Lasting Value Is Measured By Succession

Happy Leading!!!

Reference:

Maxwell, John. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN; 2007

The WILD Week 1 Teaching Re-Cap

Wild 1 - Recap from Flamingo Road Church on Vimeo.

Here is a brief, 8 minute summary of Pastor Troy's Week 1 teaching in the WILD series. This link has also been added to the Wild (Week 1) resource materials in iMAX. Leaders should consider showing this recap at the beginning of their Wild group before engaging in the discussion questions. For leaders wishing to download this video, you may do so by CLICKING HERE.

Martin Luther on True Love

True love is not influenced by the closeness of the friend, by the advantage of his favors, or by the standing of his connections; nor is it influenced by the perverseness of an enemy. It abhors evil, and censures it or flees from it, whether in father or mother, brother or sister, or in any other.

…Real, true love … cleaves to the good, even though found in the worst enemy, and though directly opposing love's desire. Love is no respecter of persons. It is not intimidated by the possible danger its expression might incur. (ibid.)

Martin Luther - ("Second Sunday after Epiphany" from Complete Sermons of Martin Luther, vol. IV [Grand Rapids, MI:BakerBooks, 2007] p. 36). http://www.christian-history.org/love-quotes.html

-In Him

Our Confidence

…“I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?”

Hebrews 13:5-6

Pastor Lili so sincerely reminded us this past weekend of God’s love for and faithfulness to us described in Deuteronomy 31:6. We see here in Hebrews that same steadfast dedication God has for His children.

Our God!

All powerful, all knowing;

Creator of everything created,

Maker of everything made,

Director of everything directed

Ruler of the world

Ruler of the universe

Ruler of everything that exists…

THAT GOD is Our God

THAT GOD is our Helper

What can anyone do to us??!!

As we often sing at Flamingo…

“And if our God is for us - Then who can ever stop us?

And if our God is with us - Then what can stand against?…”

…nothing!

-In Him

The Law of Legacy

Law #21 of John Maxwell's The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is:

The Law of Legacy: A Leader’s Lasting Value Is Measured By Succession

Maxwell asks, “What do you want people to say at your funeral?” You can wander through life and let things just happen. Then, they will say whatever they will, based on that. Or, YOU can write that sentence. He notes Clare Booth Luce’s “life sentence,” which is a statement that summarizes your goal and purpose in life. What is yours?

Developing Your Leadership Legacy

1. Know the legacy you want to leave.

“Most people just accept their lives- they don’t lead them.” Be proactive about how you live.

2. Live the legacy you want to leave.

“To have credibility as a leader, you must live what you say you believe.”

3. Choose who will carry your legacy.

“Legacy lives on in people, not things...Too often leaders put their energy into organizations, buildings, systems and other lifeless objesct. But only people live on after we are gone.”

Natural progression to how leaders develop in this area:

· Achievement comes when they do big things by themselves.

· Success comes when they empower followers to do big things for them.

· Significance comes when they develop leaders to do great things with them.

· Legacy comes when they put leaders in position to do great things without them.

4. Make sure you pass the baton.

“We have made at least a start in discovering the meaning in human life when we plant shade trees under which we know full well we will never sit.” –Elton Trueblood

Applying the Law of Legacy to Your Life

1. What do you want your legacy to be? Depending on where you are in your leadership process, you may or may not know the answer. If you do not know yet, start thinking about it. Consider why you lead. “The idea of legacy is closely related to a person’s sense of purpose in life.” Why are you here? What are your skills? What unique opportunities and experiences do you bring? How can you impact others? Assessing this is not a quick process.

2. Considering the ideas you came up with above, what must change in your life, how you live it, how you conduct yourself to achieve that legacy? Write those changes out? [They may include behavioral changes, character development, education, working methods, relationship building, etc.] Only by changing the way you live will you be able to leave the legacy you want to leave.

3. In whom will you invest to carry out your legacy? Ideally, pick people with greater potential than your own whop will be able to stand on your shoulders and do more than you did. Start investing in them today.

Reference:

Maxwell, John. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Chapter 21- The Law of Legacy. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN; 2007

Are You Salty?

Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?

It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure piles; they throw it away.

Let anyone with ears to hear listen!

Luke 14:34-35

Do you ever feel like you are not salty? Like your spiritual life and your walk with Christ is bland? After all, most others don’t want to eat bland food. So, how can we be living out and fulfilling our Great Commission if we have no Jesus flavor?

Many times, Christians will mistakenly believe that they are not salty- and thus would be ineffective in doing God’s work in others’ lives and telling them about Jesus. BUT- that is BACKWARD thinking. Actually- doing God’s work in others’ lives and telling them about Jesus is just what will make you salty…and the more we pour Jesus into others the more flavorful we become.

If you are holding back from telling that co-worker or family member or friend or spouse or child or person you have just met about Jesus because you think you are too bland…DO IT…for this will make you salty.

-In Him