Tag: Children

Imagination

Children have a vivid imagination. They possess the ability to take a stick and a handful of rocks and become the greatest baseball player of all time.

As we age, however, our imaginations seem to lose that luster. We fail to allow our imaginations to take us to another level of thinking. We get blinded to how things have always been and often refuse to consider how things can be.

The worst part is that opportunities may only come once and if we do not use a little imagination and get outside the box, we may lose the opportunity God provides for growth beyond our imagination. Read Ephesians 3:20.

A Leading Question…Part 1

Numerous words convert sentences into questions: what, will, how, when, where, and who? These words validate the importance of questions that determine the information needed to assess and make necessary conclusions.

There is one word, however, that takes a level of preeminence and it is necessary to challenge the core of who we are and what we do as leaders.

Why? Nothing else needs to be added to this word to complete a question.

Children are famous for asking this question regarding every answer given by parental and educational authorities. Why?

As we lead, we must think more about why.

Walking Away…

Robert Tew wrote, “Sometimes walking away has nothing do with weakness, and everything to do with strength. We walk away not because we want others to realize our worth and value, but because we finally realize our own.”

Satan wants us to believe our worth is summed up in achieved success, what others say about us, and what we have materially. No greater lie exists.

When we understand we are God’s children, made in His image, our worth changes incredibly.

Resist the temptation to find worth in the temporal things of this life and realize the greatness of God. Walking away from sin is eternally worth it all.

Modeling Leadership…

Few words are more familiar than Ruth’s expression of faithfulness to her mother-in-law, Naomi, “Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God.”

The spiritual influence developed within the home is powerful. Sadly, many homes have forsaken the opportunity to influence their children with a godly foundation.

Home is where parents have an opportunity to provide refuge and focus on the presence of God, where they model the example of Christ, and where children learn the meaning of submission.

Where we go, our children will go. Children should be led to conclude, “…and your God, my God.”

Consistent Leadership…

“Do as I say, not as I do.”

One of the greatest forms of hypocrisy occurs when parents tell their children to live a certain way, yet do not live by the same standard.

I am not saying that parents need to be perfect, regardless of the standard under consideration. However, there needs to be consistency.

Children push limits as close to the line as possible and measure every action by the consistency of parental guidance.

The foundation must be laid here. When we fail, admit it, apologize, and make restitution. Never excuse it…ever!

Help children understand the purpose behind the standard and live consistently by it.

Leadership Begins In The Home…

Perhaps you’ve heard it said, “What parents excuse in moderation, children will abuse in excess.”

The hearts and minds of children are sculpted from a young age. Our influence is greater than we can imagine.

Parents need to give serious consideration to the words and activities expressed in their lives.

They must live a standard in the home they are comfortable with seeing their children live out in excess. Parents face enough challenges battling worldly influences. Why take chances on living an example that questions the biblical precedence of godliness?

Use the home as a refuge sanctified by the teachings of God’s word.

Leading Our Children…

Leadership begins in the home. The greatest opportunities for influence occur within the four walls where we live.

From the time children arise in the morning to the time they lay down to sleep, teaching moments are everywhere.

The air we breathe, food we eat, the opportunity to see a sunrise, the ability to move our fingers and toes, witnessing God’s creation come to life, and hundreds more, are all moments to teach our children about the existence of God and His love for us.

Let us always take action to lead our children.

Leading with Eager Anticipation…

Although it is October, amazingly enough, people are already counting down the days until Christmas.

Something special exists in the mind of children that creates an eager anticipation for this specific day each year.

As leaders envision the future, they must encourage the same eagerness and anticipation for what is to come spiritually.

Think about Israel’s anticipation for entering the land God promised to give them. God has promised a land far greater for you and me. As we consider entering this glorious place, how much anticipation exists?

We need to eagerly look forward to that day. Let the countdown begin!

Joy…

Joy exceeds simple pleasure. Kenneson claims joy is the byproduct of our desire for something more outward.

The other-directedness nature of joy shows why it is so closely connected to love. If love be related to God’s grace, the gift exemplifies a significance between these two Greek words: charis (grace) and chara (joy).

Scripture connects suffering with joy, and “living joyfully despite persecution and affliction does not require one to deny the reality of suffering or pain” (63).

We cultivate joy when we rejoice in the opportunity to worship God, nurture contentment, and learn to enjoy children.

This is only the beginning.

Measuring our Leadership…

One thing about leadership, everyone is watching. Children, spouses, coworkers, neighbors, friends, and the world. They are all watching. 

Andrew Carnegie once said, “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.”

People listen to what we say, but they watch what we do and measure. How does our leadership measure up? 

God measured the leaders of His people to show them how they did not measure up to the standard He had given them. 

If God were measuring our leadership, how would we measure up?

While others are watching, God also watches. Will we measure up?