How people change...

 I was reminded of a very simple truth again today, which is simply:

"Remember, people change gradually."

If I understand this truth it helps me to love appropriately and patiently.  It convicts me to embrace my long term role in the continuum of another person's life.  I helps me to see the graciousness of Jesus in my own life which helps me to practice Him in my interactions with others.

Spiritual Leadership...

What is a Spiritual leader?

One who serves first...
One who works hard...
One who prays fervently...
One who knows himself...
One who knows Whose he is...
One who communicates effectively...
One who loves those under his charge...
One who sees the vision and recounts it often...
One whose blood type is "Be Positive" no matter what...
One who understand and fosters the use of influence correctly...
One who actually believes and acts like God can do anything...

What a Spiritual leader is not! 

One who demands to be served...
One who belittles others to lift himself up...
One who constantly plays the blame game...
One who needs constant affirmation from others...
One who communicates by yelling or manipulating...
One who others recognize as arrogant and haughty...
One who does not clearly see and correct his personal faults...
One who continually feels the need to remind others of his position...
One who is pessimistic of everything, thinking himself to be smarter...
One who sets a tone for laziness because he believes he has "arrived"...
One who is bent on his agenda and doesn't care who gets in his way...

God help me to be the man You've called me to be

while encouraging others to do the same.