The leader’s job is to lead in ways such that people can do what they are best at doing: using their gifts and their brains to get great results.
The greatest people are the ones who have not sought greatness, but served greatly the causes, values, and missions that were much bigger than them.
This is the true selfishness: self-centeredness.
A second chance is not a repeat of the first chance. A second chance is a moving forward to something new.
Many people cannot say, “I love you and I do not want to do that.” Such a statement does not make sense to them. They think that to love means to always say yes.
The sin God rebukes is not trying and failing, but failing to try.
If you are caught up in passionate lust or with someone who is, then chances are that these issues are not being worked out. The lust is keeping you from integrating your soul. Just like a drug addict is not growing when he or she is using drugs, your soul is not growing if you are acting out lust.
Surround yourself with people who are committed to support you, encourage you, assist you, and pray for you.
God’s plan for us is to be loved enough by him and others, to not feel isolated – even when we’re alone.2.
2 Thessalonians 3:10, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.
Getting people to finally see the stark incompatibility of certain desires is often what finally gets them unstuck.
If what you dig up is painful or ugly, throw it away. That means to process it, mourn it, heal it, grieve it, repent of it, or whatever it takes to work it out of your system. You are growing a garden in your heart; some things you wish to increase, and others you need to weed out. Either way requires caretaking. That is your job as guardian of your heart.
Avoidance of risk is the greatest risk of all.
Be wary of someone who has never failed, or seem to have no faults... Too good to be true usually is. Perfection hides something.
Guilt pushers do not like to get rid of guilt, for they fear that if people do not have guilt to stop them, they will do whatever they want.
Only we know what we can and want to give, and only we can be responsible for drawing that line. If we do not draw it, we can quickly become resentful.
When you think you are ready to reestablish a relationship with someone who has been abusive and controlling in the past, bring a friend or supporter along. Be aware of your pull toward hurtful situations and relationships. The injury you are recovering from is serious, and you can’t reestablish a relationship until you have the proper tools. Be careful not to get sucked into a controlling situation again because your wish for reconciliation is so strong.
Change is frightening. It may comfort you to know, that if you are afraid, you are possibly on the right road – the road to change and growth.
Things can hurt and not harm us. In fact they can even be good for us. And things that feel good can be very harmful to us.” You need to evaluate the effects of setting boundaries and be responsible to the other person, but that does not mean you should avoid setting boundaries because someone responds with hurt or anger. To have boundaries – in this instance, Jason’s saying no to his partner – is to live a purposeful life.
There is nothing that you are presently doing that you did not have to learn. At one time the things you are now able to do were unfamiliar and frightening. This is the nature of life. But the important thing to remember is that you can learn. Once you realize that you are able to learn new things and handle new situations, you cease fearing the future.