Do you ever feel like you have it bad? All of us have been there. A good prescription for such times is studying the trials experienced by the Apostle Paul. I recently led a study of II Corinthians. A major emphasis in this book is Paul’s sufferings and trials. Any minister who reads this book will find his trials to be minimal in comparison. When we think we have the worst situation possible we can look around and find someone whose situation is worse. This is certainly the case when we compare our trials to those of Paul.
Judy and I have a dog named Lucy. Lucy is a delight to be around. She always wags her tail when someone approaches her. She always has a cheerful countenance. She will help you keep things in perspective. A while back I came home from work with a negative spirit. I walked into our home and Lucy helped me change my attitude. She convinced me to play ball with her. It is hard to play ball with a dog and not receive a new perspective.
7 Good Reasons for a Leader to Learn and Use the Word NO
Written by Ron Edmonson
I hate disappointing people. And, every time I say the word “NO,” someone isn’t happy with my answer.
That’s reality.
Has anyone ever suggested that you relax? Such suggestions usually stir my hidden animal instincts. I want to strike these people. LOL! Most of the time these suggestions come from people who care about me. The suggestions also come at times when my face betrays me. Those who know me see the need for me to relax. The need to relax slips in when the demands are greater than the energy or the clock does not allow enough flexibility to get everything done.
God Will Allow You More Than You Can Bear Alone
Written by Ron Edmondson
“Don’t try anything today without relying on the power of God!”
I occasionally like to correct a myth I have heard all my life. How many times has someone said to you, “God will never put more (trials) on you than you can bear”?
I challenge you to show me that in the Bible. God WILL allow more than you can bear.
The problem I have with that lie is that, as innocently as it is given - even offered mostly as encouragement, it’s not encouraging at all.
Have you ever had to face people who doubted you? Such doubt can take many forms: doubting your leadership ability, doubting your preaching, doubting your integrity, or doubting your character.
I’ve learned some things the hard way. I often share things leaders should do, but today I thought I’d share some things not to do.
Here are seven things every leader needs to quit.
Daniel and his three friends are some of my favorite Biblical characters. They modeled what it means to live a life of integrity, which is taking a beating today. Several years ago, James Patterson and Peter Kim authored the book, The Day America told the Truth. They conducted a survey by asking Americans what they would be willing to do for 10 million dollars. Here’s what they learned.
Have you failed in some endeavor in life: marriage, business, school, a relationship, or an investment?
These are the tip of the iceberg of endeavors that individuals have tried and failed. The good news is that failure is never fatal or final.
In 2010, a bank foreclosed on the church property and building of the church I was serving. Foreclosures do not occur with churches, do they? We are supposed to be people of faith. God does not allow His people to fail. Continue reading!
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One well-worn adage reads, “The two things you can’t avoid in life are death and taxes.” As a pastor, I’d like to suggest two more for those in ministry. Two things a pastor can’t avoid: people being late to the Sunday service and…critics. I’ve served in full-time ministry for 35 years and I’ve experienced my share of critics. I’ve responded well to some and not so well to others. And I’ve learned 9 ways that have helped me respond better to the church critic.
A few days ago I visited my mother and helped with several projects around her home. I spent the night and left early the next morning. After getting in my truck I realized I needed gas. I came up with a plan. I reasoned that when I arrived in Alexandria I would buy gas and another cup of coffee for the ride home. There is nothing like riding down the road, in a quiet truck, with a fresh cup of coffee.
Written by Charles Stone – Reprinted with permission
Some people have a green thumb and others don’t. Those that do can grow plants and flowers that seem to flourish with life, color and vibrancy. Leaders also fall into two categories - those who flourish and those who don’t. What are common traits of flourishing leaders? I believe what happened in the early church gives us clues to traits of a flourishing leader.
A few days ago I went to work and was greeted by an annoying issue as I started my day. The wind, or someone’s dog, overturned our office trashcan as it sat by the road, waiting for the trash collectors.
Written by Ron Edmonson -reprinted with permission
ronedmondson.com
I love working with younger leaders. It keeps me young and it helps me know I’m investing in something and someone who will likely last beyond my lifetime.
I also love sharing some things I’ve learned from experience - some of it from hard experiences.
If you can learn and practice some of what I’ve learned early in your career it will help you avoid having to learn them by experience.
Editor’s Note: We are sharing a 10-part series entitled, “Lessons They Don’t Teach You in Seminary.” This is article 10, taken from Moses’ life, as described in Acts 7:20-36.
I walked into church that day discouraged and defeated. I walked out feeling ten feet tall. What happened? The scripture reading was, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” (I Tim. 1:12)
God used I Tim. 1:12 to remind me that HE called me into the ministry. God reminded me that my authority came from HIM.
Editor’s Note: We are sharing a 10-part series entitled, “Lessons They Don’t Teach You in Seminary.” This is article 9, taken from Moses’ life, as described in Acts 7:20-36.
Have you ever seen something you never forget? I remember the pictures of the two planes crashing into the World Trade Center in New York. I will never forget the mental picture of that event.
A friend challenged me to write an article under this title. She noticed I had posted a number of possible subjects to help preachers get their creative writing juices flowing. The one titled, “Write about the most fun you ever had in the ministry” intrigued her.
I told her I’d give it a try.
Editor’s Note: We are sharing a 10-part series entitled, “Lessons They Don’t Teach You in Seminary.” This is article eight, taken from Moses life, as described in Acts 7:20-36.
Are you always right? Obviously none of us are always right. It is one thing to agree with this principle, but another to accept it. There is something flattering to think that we are “the spiritual leader” and our decisions are always on target.
On Monday mornings do you sometimes wonder to yourself, “Is it Monday already?” For those of us who serve in ministry, Mondays roll around quickly. I don’t intend to be negative or pour cold water on a good day, but this concept is a fact of life when you serve in ministry. Many articles have been written about ministry blues, which often visit on Monday mornings.
I once heard a pastor say he refused to take Mondays off. His reasoning was that he refused to take a day off when he felt so flat. LOL!
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