Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Come Out of Your Shell

I was reading in the book of Romans the message version in chapter 12 verses 1-2 where it says:

“So here’s what I want to do, God helping you. Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God wants to bring the best out of your, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

I can tell you that lately I have been stretched way out of my comfort zone. For the past several months I have been getting out in the community and attending meetings, outreaches, community events and get togethers. I can tell you that I can put on a front but truly down deep inside I am shy and a little intimidated walking into an even where I only know about 2 people. However I quickly realize that that is where God wants me to be, among people and stretching the fear of any type of embarrassment out of me. You see that is why I am shy, it is because the fear of embarrassment, ever felt that way?

At church I lead our welcome team where at any given time I am to walk up to people start a conversation with them even if I don’t know them. I am welcoming in new guests and don’t even know them from anywhere and I can tell you in my position I can’t do it in my strength but with God I can. Just like the Paul says in Romans God wants to bring the best out of you.

Today I want to challenge you to allow God to pull out that shyness in you! Say hello to someone you don’t even know, weather out to eat, pumping up gas, in the line at the grocery store, but do something to break out of your shell. Then please share what you did. You can email me at bradpost@turn4good, write on my Facebook wall, or Twitter me.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Hope Atlanta

We had a group from Turning Point go up to Atlanta this past Saturday to help with an group that needs your help. Shaun King and his team at Courageous Church are heading up an outreach to help the flood victims in Atlanta. Hope Atlanta was formed to bring hope by helping Atlanta’s Flood victims.

Early estimates showed at least 5,000 families have lost everything due to the flood. Damages are in the 250+millions and only maybe 10% of those people had flood insurance.

I want to encourage you that there are four ways you can help. Check out http://www.hopeatl.com to find out more about this effort.

You can help by 1. Volunteering your time, 2. Donations, 3. Cash and gift cards 4. Spreading the word.
Check it out and get involved.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Overcome

Last week God gave me some insight that I wanted to share with you today and pray that this message will radically impact and change some of your struggles that you might deal with on a daily basis. I wanted to open up to you today and share that last week, I was being attacked hard by the enemy and he was hitting me with depression, discouragement, and doubt. I was down and not up to my normal self. I could hold it together but the enemy was really working on me and I started feeling it not only mentally but also physically.

In prayer God gave me James 4:7, where it says “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

So while driving in my car to work I started saying and then shouting over and over again the following;

“I resist you depression and now you must flee from me!”

“I resist you doubt and now you must flee from me!”

“I resist you discouragement and not you must flee from me!”

What you can do is INSERT what you are dealing with in this verse and then just say it out loud, shout it if you need to over and over. You might be dealing with depression, lust, addictions, fear, doubt, sickness or whatever, but with His word you will overcome. As I kept saying that I could feel that I was spiritually making some breakthrough in my life however it was not instant. I did not really feel the entire impact of it until the next day when I woke up and felt much better.

I was also reminded in Matthew chapter 4:1-11 that the way Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil was he quoted the word. “It is written….man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God…do not put the Lord your God to the test…Away from me Satan…worship the Lord your God only and serve Him only!!!”

Today resist the enemy and he will flee from you. I would be honored if you shared any insight or thoughts on this subject.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

#TheLast100days

Last Night I challenged my small group to read through the entire New Testament in the next 100 days. I have broken it down to make it easier below. This was from a challenge I found on Twitter for the #thelast100days to develop us into making daily habits of reading our bible. I also feel this will catapult us into 2010 and continue a daily habit of reading the Word. I will also be sending out and updating questions of our daily readings that I want to challenge you also to answer.
9-22 Matthew 1-4
9-23 Matthew 5-6
9-24 Matthew 7-8
9-25 Matthew 9-10
9-26 Matthew 11-12
9-27 Matthew 13-14
9-28 Matthew 15-17
9-29 Matthew 18-19
9-30 Matthew 20-21
10-1 Matthew 22-23
10-2 Matthew 24-25
10-3 Matthew 26
10-4 Matthew 27-28
10-5 Mark 1-3
10-6 Mark 4-5
10-7 Mark 6-7
10-8 Mark 8-9
10-9 Mark 10-11
10-10 Mark 12-13
10-11 Mark 14
10-12 Mark 15-16
10-13 Luke 1
10-14 Luke 2-3
10-15 Luke 4-5
10-16 Luke 6-7
10-17 Luke 8-9
10-18 Luke 10-11
10-19 Luke 12-13
10-20 Luke 14-16
10-21 Luke 17-18

10-22 Luke 19-20
10-23 Luke 21-22
10-24 Luke 23-24
10-25 John 1-2
10-26 John 3-4
10-27 John 5-6
10-28 John 7-8
10-29 John 9-10
10-30 John 11-12
10-31 John 13-15
11-1 John 16-18
11-2 John 19-21
11-3 Acts 1-3
11-4 Acts 4-6
11-5 Acts 7-8
11-6 Acts 9-10
11-7 Acts 11-13
11-8 Acts 14-15
11-9 Acts 16-17
11-10 Acts 18-20
11-12 Acts 21-23
11-13 Acts 24-26
11-14 Acts 27-28
11-15 Romans 1-3
11-16 Romans 4-7
11-17 Romans 8-10
11-18 Romans 11-13
11-19 Romans 14-16
11-20 1 Corinthians 1-4
11-21 1 Corinthians 5-8

11-22 1 Corinthians 9-11
11-23 1 Corinthians 12-14
11-24 1 Corinthians 15-16
11-25 2 Corinthians 1-4
11-26 2 Corinthians 5-9
11-27 2 Corinthians 10-13
11-28 Galatians 1-3
11-29 Galatians 4-6
11-30 Ephesians 1-3
12-1 Ephesians 4-6
12-2 Philippians
12-3 Colossians
12-4 1 Thessalonians
12-5 2 Thessalonians
12-6 1 Timothy
12-7 2 Timothy
12-8 Titus-Philemon
12-9 Hebrews 1-6
12-10 Hebrews 7-10
12-11 Hebrews 11-13
12-12 James
12-13 1 Peter
12-14 2 Peter
12-15 1 John
12-16 2 John-Jude
12-17 Revelation 1-3
12-18 Revelation 4-8
12-19 Revelation 9-12
12-20 Revelation 13-16
12-21 Revelation 17-19
12-22 Revelation 20-22
Day 1 Matthew 1-4
1. Chapter 1 is sometimes known as the "begat chapter." Why do you think it is important for Matthew to include this genealogy?
2. What do you notice about Matthew's Christmas story that is different from what you are used to hearing?
3. What prompted Jesus to go into the wilderness following his baptism?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Always In His Presence

Psalm 139:1-10 (The Message)

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I’m an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I’m never out of your sight.
You know everything I’m going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there,
then up ahead and you’re there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can’t take it all in!
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!

Today as I write to you, I want to encourage you to know that anything you do, God is with you. He knows your thoughts, your prayers, your hurts, your pains, your success, and your future. Be in prayer today and remember the words of David in this Psalm and know that you are Always in His Presence.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Welcome vs Honor

I shared this with our Welcome Team this morning from Turning Point Church at our VIP meeting which was inspired from a conversation I had earlier this week with Larry Brey from Elevation Church from a blog he posted. It covers the difference between welcoming someone and honoring them. This would relate to anyone in church, in business and at the house.

There is a huge difference when we welcome someone into our house, church or business and honor them. Welcoming is great and people feel a sense of security but honoring someone is totally different.

The difference in our Welcome Team:

For our Greeters: is not just handing them a bulletin and saying welcome but if it is their first time and they have children walk them to the children’s check in, talk with them during the process.

For our Parking Team: it is a difference from just waving at them and actually opening the door with them.

For our Ushers and Sanctuary Greeters: it is a difference in saying showing them where the coffee is and making it for them or showing them an open seat and actually taking them to it.

Try this phrase when you see a client, friend or co-worker this week, “It is an honor to see you today.” There is such a greater impact than saying anything else. I used this a few times this Sunday and had a few people look at me like “wow” or they were just looking at me like I was crazy..one of the two.

Friday, September 18, 2009

What Leadership Means to Me? Guest Writer Mark Galey

Guest Writer: Mark Galey

“…for many are called, but few chosen”. I think Leadership is a choice.

I’m sure we’ve all heard, ‘he/she is a natural born leader’.
Yes, it seems there are some people who are better wired for leadership and at varying degrees.
I think we decide how far we will go, for how long and we each have our own ‘why’.

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”
Am I up for this? What price are you willing to pay?

From my experience leaders are trained and groomed. It says…
‘Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth’
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”.

We are all hungry for knowledge about something and I’m guessing by you reading this blog your interested in becoming a better Leader, so here is my prayer for you;
Father I pray wisdom, patience, understanding, compassion, assertiveness, clarity, purpose, confidence, articulation, strength and most of all love for this Leader Reader. I don’t know all their needs but I know you do!! So Father reveal to them what they are seeking so they can better serve. Make them whole, Bless them and their families for their sacrifices, keep them in health and may that gut burning desire they have never be distinguished but rather always be a warm welcoming glow. Amen!!

Connect with Mark Galey Here on Facebook, Here on Twitter or check out his websites @ http://www.magnetconstruction.com, http://www.projectmcdonough.com, http://www.atlantafullercenter.org

Thursday, September 17, 2009

What Leadership Means To Me? Guest Writer Jeremy Martin

Guest Writer: Jeremy Martin

First, I want to thank Brad for the opportunity that he gave to me to be a guest blogger. This was the first time I had been asked to do so by anyone and I was honored to do so. With that being said, let us dig right in.

One of the most important aspects of Leadership to me is serving others. Did I lose some of you? I know that in our society oftentimes when one thinks of being a leader hey think of having all the power, delegating responsibilities, and having others serve you. Is that really what it is all about though? I think not.

I believe part of the foundation of Christ's teachings was caring for others and being compassionate servants to those that not only need our support, but to those that need our leadership. (Matthew 20:26-28) I think as believers we would all agree that Jesus was the ultimate leader throughout history and he served and eventually even died for us all. (John 10:11)

Another very important part of leadership while serving others is to remain transparent. It can be discouraging for those that follow you to see how "great" your life is; free of struggles, sorrow, and pain. By being transparent and even allowing there to be vulnerability by sharing your struggles with others it will allow them to see that they are not alone in their struggles.

I think all too often new believers come along (or even those that do not believe that are watching us) and they see strength, power, joy, etc. Then when they see others struggling with life it opens the door of the enemy to fill them with lies about how they are not "good enough" to be a leader themselves.

I sincerely and passionately believe, if we serve those around us and remain vulnerable and honest about the struggles we encounter in life that we can change the perception of a generation. Thus allowing them to see the true gospel. Once this is accomplished then we can lead more to salvation which in turn leads to inner healing and moves on to preparing those same individuals for discipleship to go out and spread the gospel and minster to others. You may be the President of a division in your company or the barista at your local Starbucks...either way you ARE a leader and should work hard every day to be the best leader you can be. As we continue to surrender to His will; He will continue to do works in us that will allow us to become the leader he has specifically and uniquely designed us all to be!

You can connect with Jeremy Here on Facebook, or on twitter Here and you can read his blogs @ http://imnobetterthanu.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

What Leadership Means To You? Guest Writer Beau Kelley

Guest Writer: Beau Kelley

A "leader" is a number of things. He or she can be someone that delegates, motivates, gathers followers, or evokes authority. A leader can be an administrator or manager. A leader can also simply be someone with a title like "president" or "governor."

But I like to think about what makes an effective leader. I think of a famous quote (that I have always loved) from President John Quincy Adams, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." Inspiration is the key.

When we motivate, we serve ourselves first; when we inspire, we serve others first. Inspiring leaders appeal to the heart and soul by engaging, exciting, and nourishing the spirit. A true leader gives people more than just a reason to work - they give them a passion for work.

To me, merely telling people what to do (to motivate them) does not really accomplish much in the long term. Of course, we admire leaders who motivate us. But the ones we love and respect are what most people would call a servant-leader: someone whose true leadership emerges first and foremost from a deep desire within to help others or to better their community.

A true leader is not in it for themselves; they are in it for others. In this respect, we can all be leaders.

You can connect with Beau Kelley through Facebook Here or find online at these websites; http://www.abetterhenry.com, http://www.yphenry.com, http://www.buddykelleyproperties.com, or at http://www.greygardensonline.com.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

What Leadership Means To You? Guest Writer Vince Farrell

Guest Writer: Vince Farrell

It’s been well said, “A leader is one who has followers.” I’ve keep this saying at the forefront of my thoughts as I minister; because if you think you’re a leader and no one is following, then you’re just taking a walk.

As a follower of Christ, I believe he gives us the greatest example of leadership. He had and continues to have followers. I believe His life reflects what we as leaders should strive to accomplish; that is, “leaders are servants.”

The King, Rehaboam, was told if he would serve the people, they would follow him all his days. He did not and his reign was not a good one, to say the least.

Jesus washed the feet of those who followed him. He set a standard for all of us that uncover God’s structure of Kingdom leadership. “If you want to be first, then be last.”

A leader who serves with, no other motive than, to serve the people; will accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God because he is a leader worth following.

Find Vince online @ http://vincefarrell.com and Facebook Here and on Twitter Here.

Monday, September 14, 2009

What Leadership Means To You? Guest Writer Brian Miller

Guest Writer: Brian Miller

My sister holds the Guinness Book record for the most rest rooms visited over a 311 miles trip. That’s how long it took us to get from Roanoke, VA to Topsail Beach for vacation. Just when you would start to feel the rhythm of rubber on asphalt, her little head would pop up and she needed to go again.

Often I wondered if I would hit puberty before we ever saw the waves, because for me it was about getting from here to there as quick as possible to be able to enjoy it there. It’s an easy trap to fall into as a leader. Leadership is about more than moving from point A to point B.

I used to believe that way, the problem was, when I got to point B, I could look back and retrace my steps by all the bodies I left laying in the dust by the side of the road. All sacrificed on the altar of ego.

Leadership is a delicate balance between people and progress. When the progress becomes more important than the people, the bodies tend to stack up and leadership becomes a lonely place. When the people become more important than progress, you have a bunch of happy people that never go anywhere.

After hitting enough rest stops, I have learned their value as well. It gives you an opportunity to look back and see where you have come, reorient to where you are heading and make sure you arrive together.

Follow Brian’s Blog @ http://www.waystationone.com, find Brian’s Facebook Here or follow Brian’s Twitter Here

Sunday, September 13, 2009

What Leadership Means To You?

This week I have the amazing privileged to share with some guest bloggers who will be writing about “What Leadership Means to them”? I have picked a few people who I have reached out to and they said they would love to share in on this opportunity to share with my readers.

Throughout the week I will be copy and pasting these guest writers and sharing their information with you so you can check out their work and writings. I am extremely encouraged about this and hope you look forward to reading this week.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership Part 5

Accountability

Coming from the corporate world this word "accountability" is probably one of the most common words used, especially in our economy. If you can't perform your duties and responsibilities there are consequences in turn requiring the leadership team to hold you accountable. Being a leader you will have to have those difficult conversations with those who are not performing.

During my role as leader, I would have those difficult conversations but I would always have some direction for them to follow to increase their performance. I would also require them to come up with some ideas and some new things they could do to increase their performance. Many times it worked and their performance increased but many times it did not. Which created another conversation on whether they really were cut out for that type of work or not.

Being a christian was sometimes difficult because there were some people who were just not able to physically, mentally and socially meet their job responsibilities. But I had to speak the truth in love and explain to them that there is something else out there for them.

Accountablilty also comes down to discipline on the persons part and also the leaders part. You loose credibility as a leader if you don't follow up on the areas and discussions you had with that person about their responsibilities. If you are unable to confront those who are struggling in areas then you might not be the right person for leadership.

Again, remember to speak the truth in love when holding someone accountable.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership Part 4

Staying Positive

Too many times when things get tough and things are not going your way the leader needs to make sure they are staying positive. In leading my team I make sure that I am always positive. Being an encourager, a motivator and inspire those under me. Your attitude determines your altitude as John Maxwell said.

When I first started out I remember telling myself that some people are motivated by intimidation but I was always motivated by positive affirmations. So when leading a team I motivated by staying positive. I would say affirmations, scriptures, and incantations to motivate myself and then in turn motivating others.

I was 24 years old leading a team who were twice my age I had to be different. My positive attitude was just that. After having success a lot of people asked me what was my key. After telling them it was by always staying positive I heard things like "that will never work at my office" but those that actually changed their minds and starting being positive showed success and had much higher employee moral.

People want you to lead them in a positive manner. That does not always mean that you don't have to sit them down and correct them in areas they are struggling in but there is a positive way you can discuss it with them. Praise in public and correct in private. Tomorrow we will be talking about accountability.

Let me know your thoughts on what motivates you?

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership Part 3

Adjusting to different types of people.

On my honeymoon 12 years ago Stacey and I purchased a program from a guy named Marshal Sylver who was a motivational speaker and on his infomercial for some reason we just wanted to purchase his program. We listened to those tapes over and over again.

He taught a principle called "Mirroring and Matching" this is also tied into another principle I learned in the corporate world for sales and leadership called "Adjusting your personal style." Basically what this means is to make sure that when talking to someone who might be either slow or fast in their speech then you would do the same.

I am a "just give me the facts" guy not a "give me all the details" guy, so when communicating with me I prefer people who cut through all the stuff to get to the real facts.

This works for both sales and leadership. When leading someone who needs all the details then you can give it to them, if they are a fast talker then in most cases you might want to speed up you speech to keep their attention. Some people look you in the eye the entire time they are speaking and some don't. I have even heard of some cultures where looking them in the eye is insulting.

However if they feel like you are copying them and their speech it can also seem like you are mocking them. There are also some people who are extremely as they say "thick skinned" and some you have to be a little more gentle to when giving correction or direction. Has this ever happened to you?

What are your thoughts?

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership Part 2

Leadership calls for decisions.

In my years in the corporate world there were many people calling me asking me questions expecting me to answer ever one of them. Most of the time I trained my team when coming to me with a problem to come with a few solutions to the problem. Now of course in the corporate world we still had our policies and procedures and we always had a manual we could go through, but on the gray area questions that did not fit within the guidelines set out called for someone to make a decision.

In my corporate career I was given approval limits to approve lending money to customers. It called for decisions and based on your decision that would determine if a loan would be profitable or for it to go delinquent and cause you to have to personally call and collect. What I am saying here is there are obviously consequences for all your decisions.

Also every day in my decision making I would constantly be in prayer about the decisions but make sure that once I made the decision I was confident with that decision. I learned to make sure that strong leaders when giving a decision would not hesitate even if they were not completely confident in that decision. When making a decision be confident in making it.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Five Principles I Have Learned About Leadership

Influence is Not about A Position

Many people have the assumption that you need to have a title in order to be a leader. Early in my career I thought that once I reached a manager, or an area training director or a district manager then people would listen to me. I quickly realized that this is not the case at all. Leadership is all about influence. In my many years of managing numerous different types of people I now understand that to get people to do what you ask them to do does not always come down to you being the boss. It more comes down to influencing them why they need to do something. It does not always consist of if they don't do what you ask they might loose their job. But again the WHY they need to do it. The why is the whole factor in the influence.

If a person can see the benefit in why they are doing it then the leader should be able to count on it getting done. Now sometime yes time can be of the essence and if they have trust in the person leading them then the leader would not have to go into full detail on the why.

This week I felt led to share some leadership principles I have learned in my many years in the corporate world and now the transfer into ministry. I will go over five leadership principles this week:

Part 1 Influence is not about position

Part 2 Leadership calls for decisions

Part 3 Adjusting to different types of people

Part 4 Staying Positive

Part 5 Accountability

Take this journey this week with me and let me know your thoughts by commenting in my Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress or Blogspot. Thanks.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

is able to update my twitter, linkedin, facebook, blogger and wordpress all not through http://www.ping.fm thanks @jawar

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Success out of Failure Part 2

Abraham Lincoln had many failures prior to him becoming our President of the United States in 1860. Lets go over some of his failures,

1832 He lost his job and was defeated for State Legislature

1833 His business failed

1835 His sweetheart died

1836 He had a nervous breakdown

1838 He was defeated for speaker

1843 He was defeated for nomination for Congress

1848 He lost renomination for Congress

1849 He was rejected for a land offer

1854 and 1858 He was defeated for US Senate

1856 He was defeated for nomination to Vice President

Just think if any of those times he would have given up. Paul said to press on towards the goal, to have perseverance. Today don't let any setbacks or failures you have had keep you from your goal and destiny. Press On!!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Success out of Failure

I was reading this past week and wanted to share something with you today. There has been many stories that you can track peoples success back to failures they had to go through.

Abraham Lincoln failed many times before he became our president.

I recently read about Truett Cathy owner of Chick-fil-A where when he first started he couldn't put three words together verbally without stumbling over himself. Three weeks after he opened his first store, it burned to the ground. When he finally got his second store built, his brothers, who were his partners, were all killed in an airplane crash.

Too many times people would give up after that. What's the use, why keep trying? Many peoples failures were handicap them in their pursuit for greatness. But not too many people now a days are born into greatness they become great.