When a sculptor completes his work in clay, he prepares to make a mold of the piece so he can recreate it. He’ll have to do something to his artistic work to make this happen, and that is to cut it apart.
Edward McKendree Bounds (1835 – 1913) was an attorney, author and Methodist minister. He is most known for authoring nine books on the subject of prayer. Bounds is widely considered one of the foremost authorities on prayer.
Jesus never came to earth for such a purpose. When we attempt to drop Jesus into our company culture, with its capitalistic purpose and various hierarchies and processes, we are usurping the very Godhood of Christ.
“What did the EKG say?” I asked the nurse. “Oh baby,” she said, “You’re having a heart attack!” This is a true story about being in the right place at the right time.
There’s nothing wrong with being likeable and agreeable as a leader—but to a point.Likeability is not universal. No matter how focused a leader is on building relationships, exhibiting empathy and listening well, he will not be universally liked.
We are all born evil. We have what the Bible calls a “sin nature”—a predisposition to disobey God that has been passed down to every person starting with Adam and Eve. Their sin in the Garden of Eden separated them from a perfect relationship with God.
You’ve seen the memes online urging you to put toxic people out of your life. They’re not for you. They suck your resources and energy. They burden your relationships. But Jesus gives us another approach…