Jan 02 2012

10 Tips to Strengthen Your Character Posted 136 days ago ago by Bob Burroughs     0 Comments

Quote

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are--while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” John Wooden

Scripture

“Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character.”  Matthew 7:15 (The MESSAGE Bible)

Prayer

Abba. Father. Lord. Magnificent One. Redeemer-Kinsman. Merciful One. Forgiver of sins. God of the second chance. Life-giving Savior, I pray today for all the men and women who have been called into Your Kingdom's work and stand with character against the wiles of Satan--strong for firm. Character is an important issue today, as it was in the time of Jesus. One who lose his character loses his reputation also. Give us courage and a strong mind to have the kind of character that will honor You--in all we do in this new year. Grant us wisdom to make right choices and keep ourselves spiritually, morally and emotionally fit in these difficult days. In the strong name of the One who came to show us true character by the way He lived, Jesus. Amen, and Amen.

10 Tips to Strengthen Your Character

I discovered a survey recently in an issue of USA TODAY that was very interesting. The article dealt with the TEN VALUE SKILLS that are the most important in today's society and world. These 10 skills are the ones employers look for when hiring and churches should look for when bringing on a new pastor or staff member.

I have asked several good friends to take each of these Value Skills and write a brief comment about each one in coming issues of MME. The first is, as you might have already guessed, is CHARACTER. My very dear friend and former pastor, Dr. Gary Fenton, Dawson Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama, is the first to give his thoughts on this very important subject.

Follow these 10 tips and you will take steps on the character-path and develop and strengthen your character:

1. Respond to situations rather than reacting to circumstances. Your response requires choices, and reacting is doing what comes naturally. Since we are by nature self-centered, then reacting will most usually be self-serving.
2. Act as if everyone you meet knows your address and phone number.
3. Secrecy is a prelude to moral and spiritual failure.
4. Goal setting is a form of accountability.
5. Be angry and shame not. You cannot shame others into good behavior.
6. If you want to show compassion, listen; but if you want to help, listen with discernment.
7. Your image is revealed in your creed, but your character is revealed in your conduct.
8. Cowardice is not the absence of courage but the rejection of faith.
9. Begin the day with praise so you can live with poise.
10. If you want to know what Jesus would do, then read what Jesus said and what Jesus did.

If you would like to have more information about character and other topics, go to Dr. Fenton's Character website: Characterpath.com.

What think ye

Leadership

Courage Establishes Leadership

Leaders in the Bible are instructed to be courageous and to lead courageously. You can name the ones who stood tall in crisis times, such as Esther, Joshua, Gideon, Moses, and many more. Leaders worth following are always careful--careful because they really care for those who have chosen to follow.

Ever heard these statements from church committees or members?

• I’m not afraid. I’m just being cautious.
• You can’t just rush into these things, you know!
• I’m not quite sure we’re ready for this!
• We’d best get a sub-committee on this one!
• Remember: you’re just around for so long. We’ll be here after you’re gone!

When you face risks involved in leadership, are you careful or fearful? Every leader must wrestle with this question.

As a leader, each of us is equipped with the talent and intuition that is necessary to lead people. But—courage always establishes you as a leader in the minds of others. All the leaders we know, love, respect, revere and imitate have walked through life displaying courage.

Capital Follows Courage! Courage to dream the dream always precedes the capital needed to finance and fulfill the dream. BUT…defining moments in industry, breakthroughs in business…all these begin with COURAGE…not capital. Never be scared of the numbers. But don’t embrace and encourage a dream you cannot afford to solve!

WHAT always precedes HOW. The only way to figure out HOW something can get done is to refuse to take your eyes off WHAT needs to be done. Don’t let the HOW get in the way and cast fear upon your dream. Because the HOW is so challenging is the very reason it provides leadership with great opportunity.

What is impossible for you to do in your job?
If it could be done, would it fundamentally change this church?.

Somebody needs to be asking these two questions. Why not you??? Unsolved problems are gateways to the future! And…the future…is NOW!

(Article is based on the out-of-print book, THE NEXT GENERATION LEADER, by Andy Stanley. If you can find a copy, get it!)

Humor

 

To read more of this week's MME, including new music reviews, please look to the right.

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