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“Stuff” that grabbed me as I read this morning…

Bible:

• Proverbs 26:4-5 – Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools,
  or you will become as foolish as they are. 5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.

• My takeaway – sometimes we think that we have to treat all people equal. These verses teach otherwise. Sometimes we must simply ignore foolishness and other times we must confront it. It is the wise leader who knows what to do and when to do it. All situations and all people are NOT equal and the leader who thinks so errs in judgment.

• 1 Samuel 10:6-7 – After Samuel annointed Saul to be King, he said to him, “At that time the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you with power, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. After these signs take place, do whatever you think is best, for God will be with you.”

• My takeaway – if you’ve been “anointed” for leadership and filled with the Spirit of God, then why shouldn’t you trust your leadership instinct? If The Spirit of God is living in you, and you’re submitted to His Leadership… then lead with courage!

• Samuel had just annointed Saul to be the first king of Israel, and two groups of people showed up… (1 Samuel 10:26-27) 26 When Saul returned to his home at Gibeah, [Group 1] a band of men whose hearts God had touched became his constant companions. 27 But there were [Group 2] some wicked men who complained, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and refused to bring him gifts. But Saul ignored them.

• My takeaway – Every leader needs some close friends. Do you have some? Will you be one?

• My takeaway - Every leader will have detractors. I love how Saul dealt with his! (v. 27)

• After Saul experienced his first victory and momentum was on his side… check out what happened – (1 Samuel 11:12-13) 12 Then the people exclaimed to Samuel, “Now where are those men who said Saul shouldn’t rule over us? Bring them here, and we will kill them!” 13 But Saul replied, “No one will be executed today, for today the LORD has rescued Israel!“

• My takeaway - When Saul had the opportunity to “Stick it” to his detractors. He didn’t! Instead, He pointed the people to God! That’s what great leaders do!

Surviving Information Overload:

Kevin A. Miller gives seven “life-altering maxims” for information junkies (of which I am one!)

• “Blessed are those who admit their ignorance, for they have found the starting place of knowledge.”

• “Blessed are they who know less than others, for they have more teachers.”

• “Blessed are those who decrease their choices, for they shall increase their time.”

• “Blessed are those who are less than certain, for they shall certainly make better decisions.”

• “Blessed are they who are stimulus-poor, for they shall be experience-rich.”

• “Blessed are they who make small changes, for they shall see big results.”

• Blessed are they who expect less from information, for they shall receive more from life.”

• Miller’s bottom-line, “Blessed are we when we know that it takes more than information to live a meaningful life.”