Actions have Consequences

Currently I am reading George Barna's A Fish Out of Water: 9 Strategies to Maximize Your God-Given Leadership Potential. I am only two chapters in, but I am compelled to share what I have learned thus far. As you may have already found out through my profile, I really have no idea what I want to be when I grow up, so for now, I want to be and do everything. Eventually, I would like to be a consultant of sorts in emergency management and mitigation or somehow weasel my way into the business marketplace.

I love leadership; books, articles, journals, you name it. The great debate is and will continue to be, "Are people born leaders or are they educated to become leaders?" The answer depends on whom you speak with. In my opinion, it is a little of both. You see, God creates those He wants in positions of leadership, however those people may not agree due to their own timidity and lack of confidence. Take Moses for example. These folks that may be unsure of themselves can seek to hone their skills to become more effective leaders through experience, education, etc. The catch is, however, if God has not appointed them as a leader, no amount of experience or knowledge will ever allow them to become effective leaders. God's appointment, regarding leadership, is the requisite credential.

This prelude leads us to today's entry. The most effective leadership strategy, whether it be for a battle, a business, or a home, can be found within the pages of Scripture. Many extra-biblical texts serve to be invaluable resources but the foundation is Scripture, itself.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is Newton's Third Law of Motion. The same principle applies to leadership. Whether it be in business, the battlefield or home; Actions have Consequences.

For those in leadership positions, this saying is applied ten-fold because not only is everyone watching you, they are depending on you for guidance. The truest definition of a leader is one that has followers. Without followers, there's no leader. The author of Ecclesiastes, through the divine and sovereign hand of God, tells us in the third chapter "There is an occasion for everything and a time for every activity under heaven." This includes action. Action, then leads to change. Change often leads to consequences; good and bad.

It is through this arduous process that Christian leaders be the Godly representative which in-turn shows our Creator's influence in our decision making process and calling as leaders. We are to be trailblazers and point-men/women, providing a path of safe-haven while we lead our constituents. Similar to a light house that leads an ocean vessel to safety, we too are to lead. (Matthew 5)

"Leadership is the art of serving God by helping His people become more like His Son through the indefatigable pursuit of His vision and values (Barna)."

Registration Is Final & We Are In, Baby

Got some great news this morning from the organizers of the Fireball Run. Our registration has been confirmed and our spot is secure. Many thanks to the Beaumont Convention & Visitor's Bureau (http://www.beaumontcvb.com/) for securing our spot with a very large check! The car's number is #09; honoring the history of Spindletop. For 9 straight days back in 1901, the Lucas Gusher at Spindletop flowed producing almost a million gallons of oil; more than all of the other producing wells in the United States COMBINED! This was the oil boom that put Beaumont on the map.

Love Is Fluid

Well, Valentines Day is quickly approaching, and some lyrics seemed to echo in my head regarding love. The lyric goes, "Love, what is it? A solid or a liquid?" This got the wheels turning in my head (insert joke here). Regarding matter, we have three choices: solid, liquid and gas. So with these three choices, what would best describe love?

In my opinion, love is not a solid. If it were a solid, it would only be able to cover a minimal amount of surface area. There are many crevices and places where love would not fit. Picture a glass with pebbles from top to bottom. Is the glass completely full? The answer is no, for there is still space for something else to fill.

Love is also not a gas. A gas is unseen and cannot be grasped. Love could not possibly be this, for we would never be able to establish a relationship with something unseen and untouchable.
(Make no mistake, God is not either of these, for He came as flesh and blood. He can be seen and grasped through His creation)
In the end, all we are left with is liquid.

Love is a liquid. Love is fluid. Fluid love is able to reach the areas of our heart that we would never allow to be seen. Areas that we try to hide so we are not vulnerable. Love penetrates even the most fortified of hearts. This is why our Creator and Savior made it the most important - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets depend on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:37-40

Love has no boundaries aside from the ones we give it. If you pour a glass of water onto a flat surface, it will spread. If you confine it to a cup or dish, you bind it to that cup or dish. Follow the words of Christ by letting your love spread. It is not always easy, but it is always rewarding.

The love my wife gives me is fluid. My very being is saturated with her love and for that I am so very greatful. Thank you Courtney for your love.

Fireball Update

Just an update on the upcoming race. I met with the representitives of the Beaumont Convention and Visitor's Bureau (CVB) on Friday to share ideas. This is truly an exciting time, however the work is far from being finished. We're still waiting on a car, however we do have an in-dash GPS and premium sound system ready for install thanks to Motion Audio and Premier Sound. For any locals (Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange and everywhere in between) that come across this site that want to be involved, bring it! Thanks to my wife for her continuing support and all those that have sent their well-wishes from her blog http://www.createdbycourtney.blogspot.com/ .