follow the Leader

-Servant

-Servant-Leadership

According to Robert Greenleaf a servant-leader is "servant first…It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first." A servant first, not a leader first.

After being a servant, you may be inspired to become a leader. There is a big difference between a servant-first leader and a leader-first leader.

Who is a servant?

-Tends to needs of others

-Laborers

-Obedience is expected

-Belong to someone else

-Gives up reputation

This got me thinking…

I'd like to think that I'm a servant, but really, do I have these qualities? Do I need these qualities?

Our Professor asked us if we thought this statement was true: "Your reputation is all you have."

Yes? No?

1 Timothy 3:7- He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. (NIV)

1 Timothy 4:12- Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (NIV)

Luke 7:33-34- For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."

If you have any thoughts or anything I'd like to hear!

This morning our devo at our staff meeting was really great. I love it when Jan gives it. I wish I could remember the exact wording she used, but it really touched me. She spoke about how we like to compare our hurt to Jesus' hurt. How dare we? Jesus was PERFECT in every single way, completely sinless. He did nothing wrong. He died because we sin. I know we all hear this all the time, but it just hit me extra special today. Jesus died as SIN. We live IN sin. I often find myself complaining about little things, what gives me the right to complain about anything like I do? I wish I could stop, and I'm going to try. I can't imagine what it would be like... I will never be able to imagine.

I can't think anymore right now.

It's Jesus frickin' resurrection!

Well, it's official... I'm 21.
woo?


It was a good birthday, and it's been a good, but very busy few days.
We had a successful Talent Show and Servant Auction. I cannot believe the support that the congregation gave us, and the willingness of the kids to get out and volunteer their time, services and talents. I know that I shouldn't be surprised, but I'm overwhelmed by how wonderful the kids are. I'm just so happy about how much the love the Lord and how much potential they have. I'm not giving up on them... ever.

This is a quick post because there are people here, and I want to have some sweeet hang out time. :)

So, tomorrow- I'll be 21. Well more like an hour.
Wow... I can't believe the past year.. it's been crazy...crazy good. I've grown up so much, I've changed so much, I've fallen more in love with Jesus. I can't believe that a year ago I was sitting in my room at school wondering what things would be like right now. I couldn't have imagined this. The people I know, the things I've done and the ways I've been impacted.
I've been so blessed to be at my home church, serving the children I grew up babysitting, and working with the parents who have been like my parents for so long. Tomorrow something different begins. I'm already being treated differently. Like tonight at church... everyone was like...oh gona party tomorrow, and things like that. It's weird, b/c I'm not like that. I mean, I'm going to drink once in a while, but never excessively. I don't know... whatever.
Sooo, I don't know what else to type anymore because we just put in Twilight and I can't concentrate anymore.. I love this movie.

Today I'm feeling very contemplative.
I've got a lot on my mind...nothing in particular, just lots going on inside my head.
Moments ago, I picked up a book that I started reading in high school but only got to chapter 4. Now that I'm about to turn 21, I figure I might as well finish it. It's called "It's Not About Me: Live Like You mean it, Teen Edition." by Max Lucado.
I just read something that struck me. It said: "Tucked away in each of us is a hunch that we were made for forever and a hope that the hunch is true." Forever...that's a long stinkin' time. Like, I was just trying to imagine forever in my mind... then I came across an illustration, it basically said that our lives are like a grain of sand in the dunes of time. Wow.... and that's not even what forever is. It's really humbling to have that mental picture. Life is so short...but we can do so much with it. In the grand scheme of life, we're each here for a moment, but with our moment we can change the world. I need to step up, I need to step out, things have to change. I can't sit here in my comfort anymore. When my commitments are done- I'm getting out. That might be a couple years, but when that time comes I'm going to make a big change. As for right now, I'll make the changes I can.
Things are going to happen in my moment that will affect forever.

So, I'm in the midst of planning this summer's mission trip.
God has blessed it so much already. We have VERY affordable housing, GREAT kids, AMAZING chaperons, FABULOUS opportunities, and a MAGNIFICENT God!! :)
Things are going SO well, I don't know if I can handle the seriously greatness of everything!!