Read Chapters 22-28
Meet at Cris's house Thursday at 6:30pm for dinner.
Don't forget ot invite friends. Everyone is welcome to join us. It's not too late.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Slipping into others shoes
Just received the article below at work this morning very thought provoking...
Slipping Into Others’ Shoes
Ever notice how easy it is to make negative judgments about other people?Whether it’s “idiots” we encounter on the road … or “slower than slow” people who serve us … or “losers” who can’t play sports nearly as well as our kids can – many of us have developed the knee-jerk habit of assigning degrading labels to people we don’t know. We don’t really know them, or their situations, or their challenges. But we sure as heck know what they should do. Or at least that’s the way it seems when we spout out phrases that begin with:They oughtta … Why don’t they just … It’s easy – all they need to do is ….
Nope, we don’t know those folks, but we know what they are; we’re not in their situations, but we know what they should do. Hmmmm. If all that seems illogical, unfair, presumptuous, and disrespectful to you, you are right. And if all that seems like terrible behavior for leaders to exhibit, you are doubly right!
To be sure, situations involving other people – including those that occur in our teams – can seem clear, simple, and very black and white from where we stand. But we need to remember two things: 1) Unless we’re dealing with (or have dealt with) the exact same circumstances, we’re on the outside looking in, and 2) The real world is rarely black and white – it’s usually shades of gray.
Yes, leaders at all levels need to remember those truisms. More importantly, they need to apply them! That requires less presuming and more understanding. It’s about making an effort to see things through the other person’s eyes … about walking awhile in his or her shoes. And that is called EMPATHY – a critical component of quality leadership.
Slipping Into Others’ Shoes
Ever notice how easy it is to make negative judgments about other people?Whether it’s “idiots” we encounter on the road … or “slower than slow” people who serve us … or “losers” who can’t play sports nearly as well as our kids can – many of us have developed the knee-jerk habit of assigning degrading labels to people we don’t know. We don’t really know them, or their situations, or their challenges. But we sure as heck know what they should do. Or at least that’s the way it seems when we spout out phrases that begin with:They oughtta … Why don’t they just … It’s easy – all they need to do is ….
Nope, we don’t know those folks, but we know what they are; we’re not in their situations, but we know what they should do. Hmmmm. If all that seems illogical, unfair, presumptuous, and disrespectful to you, you are right. And if all that seems like terrible behavior for leaders to exhibit, you are doubly right!
To be sure, situations involving other people – including those that occur in our teams – can seem clear, simple, and very black and white from where we stand. But we need to remember two things: 1) Unless we’re dealing with (or have dealt with) the exact same circumstances, we’re on the outside looking in, and 2) The real world is rarely black and white – it’s usually shades of gray.
Yes, leaders at all levels need to remember those truisms. More importantly, they need to apply them! That requires less presuming and more understanding. It’s about making an effort to see things through the other person’s eyes … about walking awhile in his or her shoes. And that is called EMPATHY – a critical component of quality leadership.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
For my Beautiful Christian Sister
BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER
By Maya Angelou
'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
'When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.
'When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!
--Maya Angelou
By Maya Angelou
'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
'When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.
'When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!
--Maya Angelou
Monday, October 26, 2009
Week 3: Love Speaks the Truth
Hello Everyone! We are in week 3! If you missed yesterday's sermon, please go to the church website and listen in.
This week's focus:
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Corinthians 13:6
This week's focus:
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Corinthians 13:6
- Chapters 15-21
- Invite friends/family to chruch and study group
- Small group Thursday 6:30pm
See ya then.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Week 2-
I am struggling this week. Not so much with the study as I am with other people's behavior. I think it's because the worldly way to behave would be to give them back exactl what they dosed out. I am learning though it may be hard that I just need to be what I am going to call "authentic me". I need to let them see me not the me I used to be but the me I LONG to be.
Everyone have a great day!
Everyone have a great day!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Jeremy Camp and Natalie Grant in Modesto
Jeremy Camp and Natalie Grant will be in Modesto on November 15, 2009
Below is the link for more details
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