Hearing what is being said.

In present day America what I call the Youtube Party mindset has taken over our brain's. We don't care about others we are just waiting for them to pause so we can put our 2 cents in.  This mindset leads to a self centered life that is controlled by bitterness. A quality that every leader should strive to have is that of being a good listener.  

“If A equals success, then the formula is A equals X plus Y and Z, with X being work, Y play, and Z keeping your mouth shut.” -- Albert Einstein.

When you ask questions you are telling the other person you want to care, when you listen you are showing them you truly care, and when you act purely for their benefit you show them what love is.

John 13:34-35 ³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Christ loved us so much he gave up his own life for us, this is the love that we are commanded to show one another. Loving others is a continual mindset, an established lifestyle, and an action that defines. "Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. "--C.S. Lewis. Love and humility walk hand in hand, to really love like God has commanded us to we have to love others more than ourselves, yes even our own lives.

Will you start Loving others today?

-Keegan

Leading

So this blog will be a place for me to share my deeper thoughts it will probably happen every few months.

Leadership, a word that carries so much and burdens all the more. Why do we have leaders? What qualifies someone as a leader? Why should some lead and others not? Among other questions these are things that have been on my mind recently.

Why am I a leader? This question bothers me the most and in many ways hinders me so much. When I look at other HomeGroup (HG) trainers and other people in the church I end up comparing myself to them and ultimately seeing how I don't stack up. There are people who are more mature, more dedicated, more passionate, more humble, have more of a servants heart, want God more or have a greater love for others. I see so many flaws in who I am and what I do.

That's why God reigns because as a human I am a failing, lying, judgmental, arrogant, hypocrite. Yet Gd still allows me to be a part of his plan. I am not inherently good so all of the good I do can only be God. He is the only one that deserves credit and the only one who can receive it. When I focus so much on why I am a failure I don't allow God to use me, it is selfish and arrogant of me to think like that.

This weekend as Andy talked about vision and where we are looking it struck me, am I so focused on the path that I am missing the path maker? I am not looking where it matters? Why do I see the world and miss God? Because I am not looking. Lift your eyes the kingdom is here those words have never rung more true to me than now. LIFT YOUR EYES that is a command look up focus on him who can give sight and guidance instead of trying to see and guide yourself. How can the blind lead the blind? Even more so how can a blind man lead himself? He can't.

When our eyes are on Christ we also see the people around us walking the same path, our field of vision is wider. We can reach out and help those about to trip, call to those about to hit an obstacle. We can do this not because we can see better but because we can actually see them, we have the right focus. With our eyes on Christ we can actually have a heart that wants the best for others and doesn't look at every situation and evaluate how it affects you. A hearts whose eye's are focused on the path will lead to a selfish, bitter, and unfulfilled life. A heart who's eyes are on Christ will lead a loving and joyous life.

Where are your eyes at?