“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” John F. Kennedy

Generally speaking, two of the most important words in any language are “thank you.”

We live in a world often characterized by entitlement. While the youth are quickly identified by this thought, there needs to be consideration to where they learned it.

The age of entitlement influences everyone. We feel we have the right. After all, we are special, therefore entitled to receive. Others should want to give.

We could spend numerous posts discussing the topic and all the consequences of this mindset, but this is not the purpose of today’s thought.

The thought today is an exhortation to consider the people who make a difference in our lives and express appreciation.

Whether a parent, child, friend, teacher, coach, spiritual leader, or someone else, take a moment today to call, write a note, or go to them and thank them for the difference their influence has made in our lives.

We might be surprised at the difference it makes in their lives to do so.

In a recent class on sermon preparation and presentation, students were critiquing each other on their thesis statements. Words are a poor substitute to describe the beauty and power of the experience.

One student described it as “one brain with all these components working together.”

Witnessing students help each other in determining how the key words, context, and meaning fed into the thesis of the text for their lessons was nothing short of a blessing.

The excitement level in the room was…well, exciting. Students were thankful to have others helping them and a feeling of understanding and growth demonstrated the value felt by the opportunity to help others.

Being there and sharing in that moment added to the multiple reasons why we teach. It was also a reminder of why leaders need to work at promoting the same.

Too often, teaching / leading becomes uni-directional. The path of learning or following is limited to listening and doing.

Learning among adults, however, occurs a greater levels when a multi-directional approach is used, allowing each individual to contribute to the learning process.

When done properly, the result is incredible.

It is basic. It is where we look first. It is the motive behind the action. It causes hesitation. It can be frustrating, but it all comes down to the bottom line.

What is the bottom line in our leadership?

Are our goals self-serving, or are we striving to bring about what is best eternally for the souls of others?

Do we make decisions because it is going to give us an advantage for our career and future, or because it will better equip someone else?

Is there an agenda behind our actions, or a simplistic, pure love for the betterment of God’s kingdom?

When we study various subjects, are we striving to learn the truth, or find a way to justify our position?

I wish there was an easier way to reach the bottom line, but there is not. Personally, I do not particularly like answering these questions, but it must be done.

As spiritual leaders, we have to ask hard questions, examine ourselves honestly, admit mistakes, act Christ-like, and pray for God’s strength to do what is right. This is why it’s called the bottom line!

By its basic definition, an analysis involves a detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

An analysis is further described by words such as: examination, investigation, survey, exploration, inspection, evaluation, research, and probe.

These words provide an additional angle to an approach needed in the process of analysis. The challenge lies in knowing how to use this approach in connection to our leadership.

Concerning leadership, analysis is most closely associated with evaluation. A formative evaluation needs to be completed entering into any plan. A summative evaluation must then be done when the goal is reached to determine what can be learned for future development.

Along the way, periodic evaluation is done to regulate specific actions to adjust or modify course direction to achieve the desired goal(s).

An analysis of the program assists leaders in determining key components in the development of the work and strategies for achievement, along with building on the smaller victories to celebrate success on the way to the goal(s).

Leaders need to keep an approach to analysis close in preparing for each level of the plan: beginning, middle, and end.

Never make a promise you cannot keep. This thought holds true to every area of life: work, marriage, parenting, and spiritual leadership.

The word promise is a key thought throughout scripture. On Pentecost, Peter referred to the benefits of obeying the gospel as a “promise for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Paul spoke of Gentiles being “strangers to the covenants of promise.” He later wrote concerning the power of the gospel to make the “Gentiles fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.”

God made a promise by swearing with an oath, to both Abraham and David, concerning the coming of Jesus.

The writer of the book of Hebrews uses the promise made to Abraham as foundational to understanding God’s promise to us, and it is impossible for God to lie.

Because of God’s promise, our spiritual leadership has purpose. We are leading souls to Christ to receive a promise made by our God, an eternal promise worth giving and living our life to receive.

“You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success – or are they holding you back?” W. Clement Stone

Occasionally, a thought comes along that is powerful enough to stand on its own. Today’s thought seems to be one of those thoughts.

Considering the influence of our environment is interesting and challenging. On one hand, the type of work environment we choose can provide the encouragement and opportunity that make for stepping stones to great success.

On the other hand, our choice of work environments can shackle us in our own growth. Instead of spreading our wings and soaring to new heights of development, we are hindered from moving into areas that promote progress.

The choice is ours to make, but be cautious. Once the choice is made it can be extremely difficult to alter the course of what unfolds. Take a moment and consider the consequences of our decisions. With a little forethought, everything can be different.

When the depths of discouragement engulf us, we only want to find the strength to endure and make the right decisions.

The answer is not always about knowing what scripture says because simply knowing scripture does not help when the heart is in a dark place.

Likewise, it is not always about surrounding ourselves with friends because friends provide little comfort when our desire is to be alone.

Where does the strength come from to go on? How can we pull everything together that we might continue to move forward?

Find a way to express feelings and share the burden with someone. One of the most helpful avenues to find strength is through expression, which can take numerous forms: writing, singing, talking, physical activity, and more.

Remember God’s goodness and trust He knows our plight. An area that provides strength is our memory. The ability to remember is one of God’s precious gifts. While we can often remember the negative side of life, we can also remember God’s providential blessings. He will see us through.

These two ideas are a foundation for gaining the strength needed to go on.

Perseverance is a needed quality, certainly among leaders. The ability to hold on just a little longer is not always pleasant or easy.

What steps can help leaders grow in their ability to persevere? Numerous posts and articles share possible suggestions. A few of these include:

1) Speaking to God. Prayer is one of the most powerful, yet least used tools we possess. Going to God from the beginning makes the difference for the long haul.

2) Staying positive. In a world filled with negativity, this can be challenging. Remembering we have the ability to succeed can help us keep a positive mindset.

3) Setting short-term and long-term goals. Experiencing success in the short-term builds confidence in achieving long-term goals.

4) Starting small and working up from there. Victory in smaller areas fuels our willingness to persevere. Each victory encourages greater success in higher matters.

5) Seeing beyond the present circumstances. Recognizing “this too shall pass” is not always comforting in hopeless times. Take a moment to look beyond and consider the ultimate end.

With a few steps, leadership grows in their ability to persevere.

Integrity goes beyond just being honest. It involves having strong moral principles and moral uprightness.

In the book of Psalms we learn the necessity of walking with integrity if we are to dwell on God’s holy hill. The very idea of walking indicates a lifestyle characterized by integrity.

There is an incorruptible nature to a spiritual leader who demonstrates integrity. They take responsibility for who they are and what they do.

Walking with integrity involves an undivided and unshakeable character of Biblical soundness. This character is built in humility and follows a path of consistency. Thus, it is a walk of honesty. Spiritual leaders are honest with themselves and with others.

In David’s Psalm he describes several practical areas defining this needed quality. However, there is one thought among these areas that stands out; “he swears to his own hurt and does not change.”

Integrity stands for truth, speaks truth, lives the truth and will not change, even if it must do so alone. Leadership, then, must exemplify integrity.

Christianity is what we are “in the dark.” Think about it!

A new class of students began a two year journey last week. The anticipation unfolds into reality. There is an overwhelming feeling too difficult to describe.

What have I gotten myself into?

How will I ever get all this work done?

Is it possible to keep this pace?

When facing overwhelming challenges, even self-inflicted, the most important question to ask is “how can we finish well?”

Spiritual leadership faces many challenges which can and will be overwhelming. These challenges can distract and/or discourage us. We must remember to ask; “how can we finish well?”

Finishing well requires a few simple steps.

Determine the priorities. Discouragement leads to quitting. Leaders cannot allow this to happen. Know what is worth dying for and give yourself to it.

Work hard. A post from a few years back about the Mumford and Son’s band shared the secret to their success. The point was a simple, but powerful truth. They work hard.

Keep your eye on the goal. Challenges bring distractions. Peter encouraged Christians facing persecution to keep their focus.

How well we finish is just as important as how we begin.