The truth of the matter is that win-win is always possible. When you are able to see beyond the ego and recognize the abundance that is available, people, minds, and ideas come together and can create amazing changes that improve the current scenarios for many, many people. When you work with people who have this abundant and generous attitude, you are uplifted, the team soars, and amazing energy and creativity is unleashed. This is much harder to do, to sustain, and to elevate within others when you encounter individuals driven by the thought of scarcity and competition.

People like Steve Jobs are visionaries that have sought to bring about such shifts in society and in business. One thing I’ve learned along the way is that it is often better to take the high road. This isn’t about judging others as wrong or seeing yourself as better than others. This is about recognizing your truth as to how you wish to BE in the world. Don’t compromise your integrity. Don’t get caught up in the competition. See the vision, see the outcome, feel the purpose and passion you’re driven to offer the world, and give it freely. We all die. You can’t take anything from this life with you. So give what you have to offer the world. What is not given is lost forever.

If your goal is to truly bring about a positive change and serve others, how it is accomplished becomes less important and seeing it accomplished becomes more important. While it may be a blow to your ego when others criticize your inspiration, or someone takes the credit for something you’ve introduced, holding fast to the benefits for everyone will often soften the sting. You do need to pick and choose those places where you’ll offer yourself, the key is to evaluate whether it is serving a common good. When you’re getting compensated for your contributions, gratitude would serve you spirit of peace. If you continually feel abused and stomped on, maybe it is time to move on to a more collaborative team, as well as a more receptive and appreciative audience.

Knowing that you are accomplishing your purpose and living your passion will be reward. In time, it will be recognized. Imposters will eventually be seen and heart & soul will always outlast the mind & ego. Along the way, through the journey that is your life and career, you will need to hold fast to the true inner qualities and nature of the brilliance that is you. Don’t allow these negative experiences to become something that undermines your value. You are not the negative experience. Often times, the negativity we experience from others, is more a reflection of them and less about who you are.

We all have different lenses, different gifts, different wiring, and different experiences. Difference is not something to be judged, it is a gift of diversity that brings the pieces of the puzzle of life together and creates a society, a solution, a technology, etc., together for the benefit of us all. Don’t doubt yourself when others cannot see the vision you see. Keep true, keep your intentions, and you will attract the right support, the right people, and the right opportunities. Lower the ego and aim high the vision.

Best wishes, Lee

Make a Differences

Leadership Through Servanthood

Paul says that Christ cared for the church in such a manner that it “should be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27).  Just as Christ would never do anything that would compromise the integrity of His bride (the church), so husbands should always behave in a manner that promotes their wives’ holiness before God.

It is quite common today for men to cajole their wives into viewing pornography or going to “strip clubs” as a means of “sprucing up their sex life.”  Sadly, many secular marriage therapy texts see this as a legitimate technique to increase sexual intimacy in marriage. Christian marriage counselors find that many who would describe themselves as believers engage in similar activity.

Husbands leading their wives in such behavior is only one example of how they contribute to their wives defilement. Husbands that flirt with other women also contribute to their wives’ defilement.

The wife, feeling neglected and lonely, may seek solace in some unhealthy way: overeating, substance abuse, or an extra marital relationship of their own. It is the wise husband that remembers that ” If he refuses to be the husband God called him to be, Satan has someone who will.”

The husband wields tremendous power, power that, on one hand, can result in great love and devotion, and, on the other , can produce generations of pain and suffering. Husbands must make a choice regarding the type of legacy they want to leave.

The writer of Deuteronomy said it best, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”  (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Pastor Kirt Eure

Check out Part 1 – 4 of Leadership Through Servanthood

Leadership Through Sevanthood Part 1

Leadership Through Sevanthood Part 2

Leadership Through Sevanthood Part 3

What are the Requirements for Leadership? 1 Timothy 3:1-7 “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (3) Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; (4)One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (6) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

The Greek word for bishop “episkopos” literally means an overseer, and comes from the word “skopeo” which means to “look” or “watch” (Philippians 1:1, I timothy 3:2,  Titus 1:7 and I Peter 2:25).  The word for elder (presbuteros) is another term for bishop or overseer, except it indeicats a more mature spiritual experience and understand for those so described (Acts 20:17).  According to divine will and appointment,  there were to be elders  in every New Testament church (Acts 14:24, 20:17, Titus 1:5, James 5:14).

Requirements for Leadership in I Timothy 3:1-7 gives us sixteen qualifications of an overseer, and it would be a great asset to the church if these qualifications were held , not only by ordained ministers, but all lay leaders in the church. The sixteen qualifications are outlined as followed.

Requirements for Leadership:

1.  BLAMELESS - Describing conduct as one who is honest and cannot be justly accused.

2.  HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE – He is not a polygamist

3.  VIGILANT - Alert to dangers of all sorts that would hinder his Christian life , his influence on the church

4.  SOBER - Of sound mind, discreet, prudent , moderate, temperate of self controlled.

5.  OF GOOD BEHAVIOR - Not a trouble maker, not mischievous or a sower of discord or dissension.

6.   HOSPITABLE – A warm and open welcome to strangers, having an open door and open heart for others

7.   APT TO TEACH - Capable of giving instruction and guidance in Scriptural principles.

8.  NOT GIVE TO WINE – Not frequenting wine, wine has no draw or hold on him.

9.  NO STRIKER - Not quarrelsome, not eager for reverent or “getting even”  when wronged, does not persecute or slander those who differ with him.

10.  NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE – Not wrongly Motivated Toward Money, not using wrong or deceptive methods to raise money or increase personal income.

11.  PATIENT - Meek, gentle, humble, and slow to speak and react toward accusations.

12.  NOT A BRAWLER – Not contentious, but quiet and peaceable.

13.  NOT COVETOUS - Not a lover of material things over spiritual things, not desiring office for personal gain or gratification.

14.  RULER OF HIS HOUSE – Not a Tyrant, but a responsible leader of his family, having the love and respect of his children. Please note that that particular emphasis is placed on the person’s ability to manage a family and the Scripture infers that if one cannot rule his own house, he is not capable of caring for the church of God (I Timothy 3:5).

15.  NOT A NOVICE - Not a new or recent convert who has not had sufficient experience in his Christian walk to know how to resist the devil and temptation.

16.  OF GOOD REPORT – Well spoken of from those outside the church (Non-Christians) whose life is respected by the community in general; this includes paying bills and not incurring excess debts so as to cause financial problems.

Pastor Kirt Eure – Requirements for Leadership