"Thankfulness".

Today I woke up to a beautiful woman.

Not just any woman, but one who has pledged to share her life with mine; - she is my wife, queen of heart and home, a source of abundant joy.

I find it amazing that another human being would so selflessly share her life in such a way that she reveals her hopes and dreams at the risk of ridicule and indifference. Shares her body and if the pleasure of that intimacy wasnt enough, I recive the fruits of her womb. In this season of thankfullness she is one of the many things I am thankfull for; for in her I recive Gods goodness in my life.

We know that if we are in christ we are never alone. And yet when knowledge of that fact and my emotions do not align, I can reach for her hand and I am reminded that my God - his provision in her - is very near.

So for those of you who are enjoying the covenant of marriage, continue to give thanks to God for that provision. And for those who have yet to experience said relationship; fear not God is faithfull and he will provide the desire of your heart.

Luther.

"On Leadership".

Luke 22:26

"But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. NASB

I've been thinking recently about what it means to be a "leader" in the body of Christ. We all have to live with varying authorities over our lives, and we frequently turn to the leaders of those institutions to help us navigate the various roads of life. Sometimes we encounter leaders who fail us, abuse us, abandon us and on rare occasion actually lead us closer to our destiny.

So, what kind of leader am I?

What role have I played in helping or hindering those who have either sought my leadership or have been placed under my charge? In my experience I have discovered two distinct types of leaders especially within the body of Christ; those being "True leaders" and "Placeholders".

As leaders we are called to empower, guide, support, and disciple those we've been entrusted with. It is our mission and mandate to see them achieve their God given destiny.

This is the fundamental difference between a: "True leader" - One who aids and assists others, (even to their own detriment), one who guides toward a particular destination. and a "Placeholder" - One who occupies a position (enjoying the benefits of that position), with no thoughts toward advancement for themselves or others.

If we are called to be leaders we must be keenly aware of where and how were leading others. For we are responsible for our role in their journey. How we minister determines the type of leaders we are, for if ministry flows from the heart our hearts must be healed from every offense, for we minister out of that which is within. So it must be with holy fear that we disciple for we create with God's people a likeness of our internal nature in the lives of someone else.

So the question we all must ask of ourselves regarding our leadership is this - Does the condition of my heart qualify me as a "True leader" or a "Placeholder"?

Luther