the Blog
Notes from
the smoke
If we are going to get close enough to the fire to help people go from hell to hope, we have to know the way home.
Short pieces on rescue, courage, discernment, and staying rooted — written, not repurposed.
Pastors: 4 Reasons You Need a Friend
If you’re a pastor and you feel lonely, you’re not the only one. Loneliness can plague even the most productive pastor, especially after he got close to and got burned by the wrong confidant. When that happens, he may feel that alone is the only safe place to be.
I understand. In fact, I warned about that in last week’s post. But this week I want to share the other side. It is worth the risk of being hurt for the hope of being helped. Every pastor needs a friend who fits the following four descriptions.
THREE KEYS TO DERAILING DISAPPOINTMENT
If Satan can’t get you one way, he’ll try another. If lust, greed, or pride don’t cause you to fail, something we don’t talk about as much may become your undoing. Disappointment can sap your energy, cloud your vision, or even turn you away from your mission.
And if we’re honest, we’ll admit every leader deals with disappointment. I’ve grouped mine under three headings.
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN AN EIGHTH-GRADER?
A friend asked me to speak to his middle school class about leadership and character. And I realized how I wish I’d learned these lessons when I was their age.
Maybe you’ll agree that we’re never too smart or experienced to consider what I told those eighth-graders that day.
“Leadership and character can be boiled down to two words,” I began. “Be you. (If you want to text this, go with B U!)” Here’s what I mean:
SIX THINGS GREAT LEADERS FIGHT FOR
Here’s a fact every leader must face: leadership is a fight. Yes, the leader will enjoy positive experiences and wonderful people, but meanwhile he will be forced to tackle one battle after another. Here are six fights you must face when you step into the ring of leadership.
Five Leadership Lessons from a Flight Attendant at 35,000 Feet
We were flying from Cincinnati to Phoenix on a Boeing 747, and two flight attendants were talking in the aisle just ahead of my bulkhead seat.
It was the first day on the big plane for the younger of the two whose work before that had been on a puddle jumper Dash 8. As the senior attendant shared advice with her junior, I took notes on what I was overhearing. This was wisdom I could apply to my own world—and probably yours too.