Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Your Past Doesn't Have to Be Your Future

Last week, I wrote about Jabez, and how he got his name from the pain his mother experienced at his birth. Later in life, Jabez prayed that God would spare him from pain, and God honored that prayer.

I want to expand on that thought by using one of my favorite stories in the Bible. You find it in the John 4 telling of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. I like this story, because there are a lot of life lessons we can pull from it. It essentially illustrates that Jesus loves everybody.

In this story, we have a woman with a past. Jesus calls her out that her past includes five blown marriages, and she was shacking up with her boyfriend when Jesus came to town. She could have easily been the test case of Dr. Laura's "Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives."

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Blog Re-post: Respecting the Leader or the Position: Part 1

I posted this entry last June, but thought it worthy to bring back for a re-visit. Part Two will come next Tuesday. Enjoy.

Every one of us, from time to time, have had to deal with the issue of respect, whether as a leader or a follower. For the next couple of days, I'm going to tackle this idea, first from the leader's perspective, and tomorrow from the the follower's perspective.

All leaders know there is value in having the respect of the followers, whether it be a teaching, volunteer, political or employment setting. Gaining the respect of those we lead is a valuable asset, because respect makes leading easier and requires less convincing to get "buy in" from the followers.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

What I Look For When Screening Music

One of the tasks of my job at KWFC is the duty of screening our incoming music to see if it is worthy of airplay. Today, I would like to share some of what I look for when I approve or chuck the music I receive.

I'll have to be honest, Simon Cowell has done more for my ability to discern and choose good music than any other resource. Here's how. Simon was part of American Idol for several years. His opinion, while often brutal, was also correct and honest. Rarely did he ever miss it.

I have actually taken a lot of what he has had to say in critiquing music, and applied it to how I screen music. I'll list a few of the things I now look for in music albums and singles.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What Jabez Says About Your Future

Have you ever considered the meaning of your name? Chances are that you haven't. But, most names carry a certain meaning.

For instance, I looked up my name, and found that in the Irish it means "handsome." It also means "narrow land," which I'm not sure what that really means other than maybe some Kyle from the past got ripped off in a land deal.

If you've ever read the geneologies in the Bible, you are going to encounter some very strange names. Most of these names carry a special meaning. Sometimes we are told that a child is given a name to represent something going on in the parents' lives at the time of birth. Other times, the name represents what the parent hopes for their child. We find similar in the story of Jabez.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Letting Go of Great Ideas

I would venture to guess that today's leadership lesson could apply to just about everyone, regardless of leadership status. At some point in our lives, we have had a great idea.

Ok, to be truthful, most of us thought they were great ideas, because they were our ideas. Every once in a while, those we work with or lead would concur, and the idea would be implemented.

There is a great sense of satisfaction when the organization you work for uses one of your ideas, and that idea is successful. For people who are driven by accomplishments, this is very rewarding.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Need a Consultation?

If you have followed my blog for some time, you know that I have extensive experience in leadership, ministry and media. Therefore, I would like to make my services available as a consultant in any of these categories.

I specialize in teaching leadership to your staff or church leaders, presenting strategic solutions for your ministry, consultation work for your music group or radio station.

If you are interested in setting up a consultation, email me. I will respond within 24-48 hours to see how we can partner to meet your group's needs.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Three Easy Media Tools Every Church Should Use

When I first started to get involved in church leadership, one of the first things I realized was the disconnect that exists between information and communication.

Here's what I mean. Every church has events, activities, and basic information they want to pass along to the people that attend there. There is other information that the church wants to get out to people who don't attend.

The electronic age has produced three easy, cost-effective ways to get the word out.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Lessons from Hezekiah

I've been reading 2 Kings this week in my personal Bible study time. Yesterday, I came to the story of Hezekiah.

Rarely will you find more than a chapter or two devoted to a particular king. But, the Bible records three lengthy chapters for Hezekiah, and for good reason.

The Bible narrative tells us that King Hezekiah lived according to God's plan throughout his lifetime. Some of the kings before him had followed God while others didn't. Those who did still managed to make some spiritual errors that hurt the people.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Leaders Never Stop Learning

"Leadership Student Since 1991"

I'm considering putting that in my bio. Maybe I'll have it made into a bumper sticker for my Toyota Avalon. Why? Because its true.

I can still remember the three events that began my journey into leadership. Both were rather small and today would seem rather insignificant. But, every journey needs a starting point, and I remember mine.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Three Useful Droid Apps

I've had a Droid Incredible for nearly two years, now running the Android v.2.3.4 OS. I've had a pretty enjoyable experience with my phone.

From time to time, I'll present some useful apps I use on my devices. Today, three very useful apps.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Repost: The Importance of Integrity

This entry was originally posted on February 8, 2011. It's timely, and relevant. Read on:

If you have ever had dealings with anyone of questionable character, you fully understand the importance that integrity plays in a person's life.

Recently, I learned that a person I have known for a long time has struggled with a very serious character failure for much of his adult life. He has led people to believe that he is something he is not. Now, if you knew the ways in which he has destroyed his integrity, you would no doubt be shocked.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Leadership Two-Face

Like most people in their 30s, I have had a few bosses in my lifetime. Some have been good. Some ... not so much. I have enjoyed working for some, and walked on egg shells around others. But, this "supervisor diversity" has taught me a few lessons.

Today, I want to tell you about the importance of stability in your leadership.

In my adult life, I count two of my previous supervisors under the two-face label. By that, I mean they presented themselves in a way that really wasn't who they were.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Music Review: Gold City - Somebody's Coming

Rating: 7 out of 10

It has been several years since Gold City has had a fresh, new project on the market. After that very long wait, and several vocal lineup changes, the quartet late last year released this new project to the market.

Somebody's Coming is a ten track project that brings this legendary quartet into a fourth decade of ministry.

When other artists wait several years between major album releases, you would assume they have semi-retired, and are looking for a comeback. Not Gold City.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Casualties of Sin

"I want to do right, but I do not do it. Instead, I do what I hate."

These words penned by the Apostile Paul in Romans 7 illustrate the heart of the human condition, especially for followers of Jesus. In our hearts, we desire to do the right thing, but from time to time we find ourselves veering off course into areas that are sinful.

It can be relatively easy for us to ask God's forgiveness of these failings, and that is good. But, to think that sin's effects end there is to miss a very important fact. Sin is rarely limited to just the individual who committed it. Instead, many times the sin affects others who are caught in its path.