I've always loved Jonathan Edwards' resolutions:
- I will live for God.
- Even if no one else does, I still will.
Wow, talk about powerful and clear! It's great to have New Year's resolutions, but it's even better to transform those resolutions into a singular vision for the year.
In Proverbs 29:18, we are told that where there is no vision, the people perish. Having a vision can be a life or death thing!
I have a personal phrase I've adopted for this New Year that I want to share with you now: Fully Alive in 2025! I want to be alert, proactive, positive, in the moment (not daydreaming somewhere else), ready to Yes, And in 2025.
I've written down my vision statement inside my trusty Moleskin to help myself stay accountable. This is biblical; Habakkuk 2:2 says to write down the vision in plain language.
Every good vision requires sacrifice.
To fulfill my unique vision of the future, I have to make some sacrifices:
By painting a picture of who I want to be in 2025, I am setting myself up for success in all areas of my life: personal, professional, etc.
Having a vision of the future is powerful; it's like painting a picture ala Bob Ross, complete with happy little trees and happy little mistakes along the way.
I want you to take some time today if you haven't already to develop a short, simple vision statement for your 2025. It doesn't have to rhyme or be overly-clever. But it does have to be written down somewhere that you will see it.
Create your vision statement and then begin re-ordering your daily routines around your vision. See how God can transform your New Year in new ways!
While it is a great responsibility to be a leader, it is an even greater honor to be a leader in God’s house. What is required of being a Spiritual Leader? What is required of being a Pastor? In 1 Timothy 3, Paul lays out the requirements of being a leader that you can apply to any sphere of your life.
Are you a business leader? A coach? A mom? I believe wherever you are, you are still leading spiritually in your sphere of influence.
Here are 6 requirements of a leader according to Paul:
1 A LEADER LIVES ABOVE REPROACH
2 A LEADER IS RESPECTED
3 A LEADER IS RESPONSIBLE WITH MONEY
4 A LEADER IS REALLY GREAT AT HOME
5 A LEADER RECOMMENDED BY OTHERS BECAUSE OF PROVEN CHARACTER
6 A LEADER IS REPENTANT
As you begin to dream big this year, beware of dream-killers and vision vampires.
The greater the leap of faith, the greater the noise of opposition will come from every side to keep you on the ground.
Every great hero from Scripture encountered opposition. Take Nehemiah for instance. He dreamed of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. Against all odds, he rallied a team to get to work and make the vision a reality. That is when the dream-killers and vision vampires appeared:
When Sanballat heard that we were building the wall of Jerusalem, he was very angry and upset. He started making fun of the Jews. (Nehemiah 4:1)
Remember, the loudest boo's come from the cheapest seats!
You don't have time to take your eyes off the prize for peripheral non-threats. Ignore the haters. After all, tall trees attract wind!
If you have critics that arise, good. It means you're doing something revolutionary and the world needs more of it.
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I think we too often place limitations on our dreams because: A) We don't have a big enough God in our heads or B) We secretly fear failing.
In 2025, I want to challenge you to dream BIG.
God can do ANYTHING, you know—FAR MORE than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." (Ephesians 3:20-21, MSG)
Take a look around you and imagine what could be and what should be in this new year.
Seriously, take a deep breath and put pen to paper to write out your dreams for 2025.
And then God answered: “Write this.
Write what you see.
Write it out in big block letters
so that it can be read on the run.
This vision-message is a witness
pointing to what’s coming.
It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait!
And it doesn’t lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait.
It’s on its way. It will come right on time."(Habakkuk 2:2-3, MSG)
Write down your dreams for the future! Did you know that it's been proven to increase the likelihood of achieving them? In a study conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews at Dominican University, participants who wrote down their goals were 42% more likely to achieve them than those who didn't write them down.
Buy a Moleskin, pray some big prayers, and then write out some big dreams.
Now is not the time to shrink back in fear.
Playing it safe is too risky!
Dream big in 2025 and let's see what God can do through you...
In life and leadership, we are on a bus and we’re going somewhere. I think back to my elementary and junior high days… where riding the bus was more than just how you got to school. You had to get your spot, with your friends, and you definitely had a plan to cause chaos for the bus driver!
Maybe you’re a business owner, an athlete, a parent, or you just started a new job… ask yourself today: what metaphorical bus are you on? Who’s on the bus with you? Where are you going? And what energy are you bringing to it? I want to leave you with this..
5 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT BEING ON THE ENERGY BUS
#1: BRING GREAT ENERGY TO THE BUS
Are you an energy vampire? You know, the people who kind of just suck the energy right out of you?When you walk into your job or a meeting, what are you bringing? Leaders know WHAT the room needs — and it's your ENERGY!
#2: DON’T CARRY OTHER PEOPLE’S NEGATIVE ENERGY
We are the sum total of our influences and if you’re not careful you’ll get swallowed up in the narrative of negativity. Now, of course you can JOURNEY with someone, but be careful that you do not CARRY their negativity or offense.
Wherever you find yourself today, try to add more energy than you take! You got this... LET'S GO!
Green-eared and fresh out of college, I stepped into the frenetic world of full-time ministry on November 15, 2000 while also pursuing my Master's Degree.
Today marks exactly 24 years as a pastor.
I wish I could say that I have it all figured out.
I don't.
In fact, the longer I'm in ministry, the more I realize how much I don't know.
But there's nothing else like it: serving people, sharing Christ's love, and turning the world upside-down.
For what it's worth, here's 24 Tips from Serving 24 Years as a Pastor:
11. You're Going to Make Mistakes.
Take it from me. You will blow it.
When you do, own it. The most powerful two words a leader can offer
to begin rebuilding trust are, "I'm Sorry."
12. Gossip is a Weak Man's Strength.
Tell your team and model these words always:
"I will never say anything about you that I would not first say to you."
Always choose to have a conversation over condemnation!
"Whoever overlooks an offense promotes love,
but whoever gossips about it separates friends." (Proverbs 17:9)
13. Always Take the High Road.
You will honor God plus there's less traffic!
14. Never listen to criticism
from someone you would not turn to for wisdom.
15. Leaders are Readers.
The moment you stop reading is the moment you stop leading.
16. Integrity Matters.
King David wrote:"I will keep a protective eye on the godly,
so they may dwell with me in safety.
Only those who are ABOVE REPROACH will be allowed to serve me." (Psalm 101:6-7)
17. The Friends You Have History With
Aren't Necessarily Who You Will Make History With.
18. Create Margin in Your Daily Schedule for Interruptions.
Read Matthew chapters 6 - 8 and count how many times Jesus gets interrupted by people. He always made time for everyone. Every person matters. Your ministry will flow from the interruptions.
19. Greatness Is Never On Sale.
Complacency is not an option.
If your church does not evangelize, it will eventually fossilize!
NEVER APOLOGIZE for attempting to fulfill the Great Commission.
Stop making EXCUSES and start making a DIFFERENCE.
Hustle and make it happen!
20. Never Give Up. Jesus is God, the Bible is true, Hell is hot and forever is a long time. Your part in eternity matters, so don't throw in the towel!
21. Keep the Welcome Mat Out and the Front Door Open. When people leave you, don't become bitter. Don't burn bridges. Keep the welcome mat out and the front door wide open to reconciliation!
22. Don't Be in Ministry for the Money. If getting rich is your goal, find a new job. You won't get rich and in fact you'll probably end up sacrificing a lot for your ministry. That's normal and it is a privilege when it happens.
23. Limping is Normal. The best leaders walk with a limp and the best football players play hurt. No pity parties when this happens; pick yourself up and press forward in faith.
24. The Best Is ALWAYS Yet To Come!
Your best days are not behind you... they are AHEAD of you. Don't build a museum to the past. Instead forge a movement for the future.
In the end, you get Jesus. That means that no matter what trials you face, the best is always yet to come!
‘Wisdom comes to the heart that is hungry for God.’ (A.W. Tozer)
Whenever I feel discouraged and want to quit something, I remember the words of my then 3-year-old after she puked carrots all over the living room floor: “I’m gonna need more carrots.”
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‘As a leader, you will have to make decisions that those whom you lead and even spectators won’t understand for years.’
(Dr. Eric Mason)
Leaders are targets for the Enemy. If you’re leading out front, then of course you’re going to be on the receiving end of fiery darts. Expect it.
Misunderstandings and miscommunications will happen.
You cannot control other people’s perceptions. You can only control your own actions and reactions.
Be careful with what you hear about someone. You might be hearing it from the problem.
As soon as we step into condemnation instead of conversation, we can no longer see that person clearly.
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‘A perverse man sows strife and a whisperer separates the best of friends.’ (Proverbs 16:28)
People don’t own you when they hurt you. They own you when your entire life is defined by that hurt.
If you’ve been burned, heal. If someone has an issue with you and they’re telling everyone except you, they don’t have a real issue with you. They just enjoy the attention they get from talking about you.
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‘Love God and He will enable you to love others even when they disappoint you.’ (Francine Rivers)
The only way to handle ‘prodigals’ is to let them go, give them to God, and pray for their return with tears. And when you see them on the horizon with their head hung low, wrap your arms around them and welcome them home.
We are all rough drafts of the person we are becoming.
Don’t be afraid to start over. It’s a chance to build something better this time!
Sure, the winds feel strong and your team is small.
Stand firm.
If you set your anchor, you won’t drift.
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