My Commonplace Book

One of C.J. Mahaney’s most recommended talks is based on 1 Corinthians 1:4-9. He entitles it, Leadership and the Adventure of Grace. He challenges my perspective about some of those I have the opportunity to influence. In my own pride, I often complain to God about some people I lead using Moses’ description of a [...]

Malcolm Gladwell tells us in Outliers that when it comes to success, context is everything. Only by asking where a person comes from can we understand who succeeds and who doesn’t. Geoff Colvin would agree but there’s more.
In Talent is Overrated, Colvin rightly asserts that “great performance is in our hands far more than most [...]

I’ve been wrestling with how leaders lead those they lead. I’m leaning toward these three ways:
Leaders:
create meaning
create value
and
create community
in those we lead.
As Paul argues in Colossians 1, leaders do that when they make known among the world that Jesus is everything and then help everyone in all wisdom become mature in Christ. And leaders do [...]

Early in the Civil War, General David Hunter flooded Lincoln’s office with grumbling letters, complaining about being in command of "only 3000." Lincoln dared to make the following suggestion in a December 31, 1861 letter to Hunter, arguing that grumbling about the smallness of his role was the best way to ruin himself. Quoting a [...]

I’ve been wrestling with my reading plan for 2008. Usually, I choose a biblical emphasis and an author or topics or persons to focus on for the upcoming year. I’ll stay with the gospels for another year, with a focus on the Jesus’ commitment to justice. I’d like to research the role of Isaiah’s servant [...]

Lynne Hybels spoke yesterday about engagement in the biggest issues of the world. She made the following points, which apply to giving leadership to all kinds of cultural change.
We must:
1. Be willing to start small. Just start somewhere, somehow. But be sure and start.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has [...]

Watch this and try to stay away. Laurie and I went to the 10:50 am showing this morning. Still overwhelmed by the power of this story.
My review of Eric Metaxas’ Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery is at jayslibrary.com.

I’ve been listening to a “podcast” series of discussions by the authors of 7 Practices of Effective Ministry. Drop everything you are doing and work thru these talks. Some of the most powerful stuff I’ve heard lately.
Just try out this one: Teach Less for More and you’ll be heading to http://practicallyspeaking.org/ to hear the [...]