Someone mentioned to me recently in their assessment of another person — “the man is a born leader!”  As I reflected later on the thought, I’m not sure I totally accept the concept that leadership is a genetic marker for an individual.

Leadership giftings are bestowed to us by God.  When we recognize that God has given us a gift, then the development of that gift is upon us.  As we grow in Christ, our development as a leader can potentially grow if we apply ourselves.  Sadly, some have never taken time to enhance their skills, learn from their mistakes and are still stuck in the rut of their present leadership style.

• I’m not the preacher/speaker I once was.
• I’m not the leader I started out to be.

Some of my gifts are better utilized than they used to be.  In other cases, I’ve recognized that what I thought was a gift was, in fact, a secret wish which will never come true!  Recognizing that frees me to pursue my genuine calling/gifts and become a better leader and servant for God.

I’m passionate about the development of leaders.  Each of us can improve, even the PERFECT ones!

What steps are you personally taking to improve your leadership potential?

Link to Forward Leadership Blog

I was given a most precious gift this morning when I woke up. It’s a gift I never received before. It’s one I can’t keep, can’t return, can’t save, and don’t know how well it will really work. I do know it’s a most wonderful and beautiful gift. I hope I value and appreciate it enough to use it wisely. That gift is “this day!” Enjoy yours and make it a very special one.

By Ray Lammie, a four-time cancer survivor in “Random Thoughts on Life.” To subscribe to his ezine send an email to [email protected] with Subscribe in the Subject line.

The way most people approach Easter, one would think that the Easter Bunny was the reason for the holiday!

Each time Easter (or Christmas, or some other Christian holiday) comes around, I am forced to question whether the commercialization of such holidays is good or bad. On the good side, commercialization equates to advertising for the holiday and the associated event which precipitated the holiday. After all, it is a HOLY-day (the true word).

But the problem now has become that it is almost against the law to celebrate the CHRISTIAN part. The “politically correct” nature of our society has attempted to eliminate any reference to Christianity from the very holiday that has evolved from it.

We are swamped with advertisements for Easter Bunny toys & candy. Easter Eggs & colorings are commonplace. However, if you want to get something that even MENTIONS the resurrection of Jesus, you had better go to the Christian Book & Gift Store. No one else has any such an article! The same thing is true about Christmas. Many school systems have told the children that they cannot speak about the birth of Jesus. And many businesses now have “Holiday Greetings” and “Holiday Sales” rather than CHRISTMAS Greetings or sales. And have you ever seen a “Resurrection Sale” at a store?

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