Jonathan Herron

Don't Waste Your Life

“I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus." 

- Jim Elliot, martyred 69 years ago today.

 

Friends, we all have but one life to live.

 

Don't waste your life.

 

Seize this new year, ripe with divine opportunities, for the glory of God.

 

Drink deeply of spiritual truths, inhaling the world and exhaling the gospel.

 

Use your one shot at life to help make heaven more crowded.

 

Don't allow a setback to paralyze you.  Press forward with selfless ambition.

 

 

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You Can Do This, I Can Help

God's heart is to see you lead your church to growth.

You can do this.   I can help you GROW!

Let me personally coach you toward quickly reaching more people far from God.

 

🚀 LEARN MORE

 

Fresh Vision for 2025

I've always loved Jonathan Edwards' resolutions:

1. I will live for God.
2. 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:

• Scripture before Screens
• Meditation before Media
• Prayer before Posts

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!

Tall Trees Attract Wind

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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You Can Do This, I Can Help

God's heart is to see you lead your church to growth.

You can do this.   I can help you GROW!

Let me personally coach you toward quickly reaching more people far from God.

 

🚀 LEARN MORE

 

 

 

Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New

 

‘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.”

 

‘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.

 

/ / /

 

‘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.

 

/ / /

 

‘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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You Can Do This, I Can Help

God's heart is to see you lead your church to growth.

You can do this.   I can help you GROW!

Let me personally coach you toward quickly reaching more people far from God.

 

🚀 LEARN MORE

Dream Big

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...

Are You an Energy Vampire?

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.

#3: IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE THE BUS IS GOING IT MATTERS WHO’S ON THE BUS
In other words…relationship over productivity!

#4: YOUR ATTITUDE IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 
Generally bad attitudes are a result of mishandled/ignored conflict and a lack of accountability. Make it right, own it, have a clear conscience, and lead with your best attitude!

#5: SABBATH REST OR YOUR ENERGY IS DRAINED
Fatigue will make a fool out of you! Take the rest you need so that you’re leading FROM rest, not FOR REST.

Wherever you find yourself today, try to add more energy than you take! You got this... LET'S GO!

Jeff Deyo on LeaderShift

 

 Jeff Deyo is a worship leader, author, pianist, songwriter, speaker, and professor. He is known internationally as the former lead singer of the Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning group, Sonicflood, and lives to help people grow closer to God.

It was a real thrill having Jeff Deyo on the podcast this week. His music is the soundtrack to my Calling from back in 2000 and meeting him was a true joy.

The guy is the real deal — authentic, oozing with joy and ready to pray at a moment’s notice. Listen to my conversation with Jeff Deyo on LeaderShift, wherever you get your pod’s OR watch at YouTube.com/JonathanHerron.

• Listen on Apple Podcasts

• Listen on Spotify

Comedian Kevin Farley on LeaderShift

Comedian Kevin Farley joins me on a new episode of LeaderShift! Farley has been bringing his signature brand of upbeat entertainment to fans around the world for over three decades.  Kevin got his start at the famous Second City in Chicago.  Soon after he starred in films such as Black Sheep (with his older brother Chris) and The Waterboy (with Adam Sandler), as well as roles on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Comedy Central's Drunk History, and Netflix's F is for Family.

In this episode of LeaderShift, Farley shares shifts and insights from a stand-up comic’s perspective that apply to your leadership including:

• Trust your instincts — Don’t second-guess yourself.

• Don’t judge yourself.

• The one thing every audience really responds to.

• How to deal with rejection in your business.

• The gold of authenticity in communication.

Connect with Kevin Farley on his official website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Listen to LeaderShift now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music.

RUNNING A RESCUE SHOP WITHIN A YARD OF HELL

"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell

I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell." (C. T. Studd)

To live within the sound of church or chapel bell was not enough for Charles Thomas (C.T.) Studd, (1860-1931), an English missionary to China, India, and Africa. C. T. Studd was born into privilege and wealth, but God had other plans for his life. His father, Edward, was converted after hearing the famous American evangelist Dwight L. Moody speak. Then subsequently, C. T. and his brothers were also converted.

But, 6 years after C. T.’s conversion, he realized that his commitment to the Lord was lacking and he decided to give everything up, and seek God’s will. He wisely said, "I know that cricket would not last, and honour would not last, and nothing in this world would last, but it was worthwhile living for the world to come."

How many people are content to live within the sound of church or chapel bell, but never step foot inside of a church to hear the Gospel message?

Or, how many are content to live within the sound of church bells and attend, but never take the Gospel to heart or share Jesus Christ with others?

They haven’t counted the cost of discipleship, but C. T. Studd did and he chose a life of hardship and sacrifice, because of His commitment to Jesus Christ.

And when others questioned him about the decisions he was making for the sake of the Gospel, he could only reply with these words:

"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” –C. T. Studd

Although salvation through Jesus Christ is a free gift from God given to us by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), it was not without cost to Him.

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ, one must realize the cost of His sacrifice and respond with a commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly; without reservation and whatever the cost.

Additionally, we should want more than to live within the sound of church bells, and be actively involved in helping to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission.

To do so we have to daily surrender ourselves to Him. As a result, we give up our own way of living and submit to His will and rule in our lives:

• Romans 12:1 says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

• Mark 8:34-37 says, “Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?'”

Great missionaries like C. T. Studd, Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliot and so many more were not content to merely live within the sound of church bells. They gave their lives, and left their homes and families, to be used by the Lord to spread the Gospel.

We also shouldn’t be content to just live within the sound of church bells. We like them, should be passionate about spreading the Gospel; and endure hardship and danger if necessary, so people would be rescued from going to hell. If we can’t, then we should at least support the work of missionaries prayerfully and financially.

As Christians, we can follow in the steps of these great men of faith, by surrendering our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ, seeking His will, and living by faith and trusting in Him.

John 12:24-26 says, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.”

This famous quote from the poem, “Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past” by C.T Studd, is a sober reminder of the brevity of life and that only what’s done for Christ has eternal value:

"Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last." – C. T. Studd

6 WORDS YOU NEED IN YOUR LEADERSHIP VOCABULARY

1. PATIENCE

• If you get too frustrated with the process, you’ll quit the mission God has given you.

• Just because you were patient one season, doesn’t mean you’ll be patient in the next.

• The patience you use for yourself should be the patience you use for others.

2. CONFRONTATION

• Confrontation is necessary for growth.

• When done well, it’s an opportunity to BUILD trust.

• If you tolerate things that are against your values, it says more about you than the other person.

3. RISK TAKING

• Anytime you step out to do something great, you have to count the cost.

• Great leaders are willing to take this risk rather than play it safe.

4. RECRUITING

• If you’re a good recruiter, you can SEE in others what they cannot see in THEMSELVES!

• Great leadership builds up great people without needing any of the credit.

5. ATTITUDE

• There are many things in leadership you can’t control, but what you CAN control is your attitude.

• A leader with a great attitude can lead through any situation.

6. EMPOWERING

• You can recruit, but can you give away and delegate responsibilities?

• The day of the lone ranger is done, the superhero in leadership is the one that empowers others!